Abstract: Objective To analyze the pathogenic characteristics and epidemiological data of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Dongguan City from 2010 to 2012, and provide the reference for timely adjustment of the prevention and control scenario. Methods Specimens of HFMD cases including surveillance cases, severe cases and outbreaks in Dongguan City from 2010 to 2012 were collected for detecting the specific nuclear acids of general enterovirus, Coxsackievirus A16 (Cox A16), and Enterovirus 71 (EV 71) by Real-time RT-PCR. Results A total of 2 282 samples of HFMD cases were detected and 2 026 were general enterovirus nuclear acids positive, with a detection rate of 88.78%（2 026/2 282). Of the 2 026 cases, 937 (46.25%) were infected with EV 71, 372 (18.36%) were Cox A16, 2 (0.10%) were mixed infection of EV 71 and Cox A16, and 715 (35.29%) were other enterovirus, respectively. EV 71 was the major pathogen (60.63%, 516/851) in 2010. While the other enteroviruses were predominant in 2011 (39.29%, 211/537) and 2012 (44.67%, 285/638）, respectively. HFMD occurred all the year round and the peak of HFMD cases were mainly from April to June each year (41.24%, 941/2 282). Most of the cases were children under 5 years (92.73%, 2 116/2 282). Of all the cases, 1 483 were males and 799 were females. Of the 2 026 cases, 1 429 (70.53%) were mild and 587 (28.97%) were severe. EV 71 was the predominant pathogen in severe cases (81.43%, 478/587), as well as in all death cases(10 cases). Conclusion EV 71 was the predominant pathogen of HFMD in Dongguan City in 2010. However, other enteroviruses became predominant in 2011 and 2012. EV 71 is still the predominant type for severe and fatal HFMD cases.