Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HfMD) is a common childhood illness caused by enteroviruses. We analyzed the pathogenic characteristics of HFMD in Shaanxi province, China, during 2010-2016. clinical samples were collected from HfMD cases. Real-time pcR and Rt-pcR were used to identify the enterovirus(EVs) serotypes. Viral RNA sequences were amplified using RT-PCR and compared by phylogenetic analysis. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze. A total of 16,832 HFMD positive cases were confirmed in the laboratory. EV-A71 and CV-A16 were the main pathogens in 2010. EV-A71 was the dominant pathogen in the periods of 2011 to 2012 and 2014, 2016. In 2013 and 2015, other EVs increased greatly, in which CV-A6 was the predominant pathogen. EV-A71 was more frequently detected in deaths and severe cases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that EV-A71 belonged to the C4a evolution branch of C4 sub-genotype and CV-A16 belonged to the B1a or B1b evolution branch of B1 sub-genotype, whereas CV-A6 strains were assigned to D2 or D3 sub-genotype. The pathogen spectrum of HFMD has changed in 7 years, and the major serotypes EV-A71, CV-A16 and CV-A6 alternated or co-circulated. Long-term surveillance and research of EVs should be strengthened for the prevention and control of HfMD. Hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infectious disease in children caused by human enterovirus (EV) 1-3. The main clinical manifestations of HFMD are fever, rash on the palms, soles, mouth and buttocks. Most HFMD patients have a good prognosis. A few patients may have complications such as aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, acute flaccid paralysis, neurogenic pulmonary edema and myocarditis. Individual severe children may die due to exacerbations 3-5. Since the outbreak of HFMD in Anhui Province in March 2008 6 , there has been a widespread epidemic in mainland of China 7-9. It has become one of the main public health problems which seriously endanger the health of infants and young children. EVs belong to the family of Picornaviridae, enterovirus genus 10. A variety of EVs can cause HFMD. According to its gene and antigen characteristics, EVs can be divided into four species: EV-A, EV-B, EV-C, and EV-D. Human enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) and Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) in EV-A species are generally considered to be the common and major pathogens causing HFMD 11-13. In recent years, however, more and more studies have shown that other EVs also play an important role in the outbreak or epidemic of HFMD 14-18. In particular, CV-A6 has replaced EV-A71 and CV-A16 as the main pathogen for the outbreak or epidemic of HFMD in mainland of China since 2012 19-21. The change of pathogen spectrum put forward a new challenge to the prevention and control of HFMD. In this study, we analyzed the pathogenic characteristics of HFMD in Shaanxi province during 2010-2016, and clarified the epidemiological characteristics and pathogen spectrum changes of HFMD. It could provide scientific basis for prevention and control of HFMD in Shaanxi Province. Results P...