The sequence of the coxsackievirus A 21 polymerase gene indicates a remarkably close relationship to the polioviruses. Brief report.

We have sequenced the coxsackievirus A 21 polymerase gene and 3' noncoding region. The sequence is 98 per cent homologous at the amino acid level to the three poliovirus serotypes. This is comparable to the relationship between polioviruses and indicates a recent evolutionary divergence of the viruses.