Identification of specific and shared epitopes at the extreme N-terminal VP1 of Coxsackievirus A4, A2 and A5 by monoclonal antibodies

•Coxsackievirus A4 (CV-A4) is one of re-emerging pathogens that causes by multiple diseases including hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).•The study on antigenicity is important for development of diagnostic reagents and vaccine candidates. Here, mAbs specific for CV-A4 and more broadly binding to CV-A4/CV-A2/CV-A5, were obtained.•The mAbs target the first 15 amino acids at the N-terminus of VP1, a newly discovered epitope.•This is an important step to understand the function of these epitopes.•The mAbs are suitable for the development of rapid detection of enteroviruses causing HFMD, herpangina and other diseases.