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Astrovirus infection in children
Jolan E Walter1, Douglas K Mitchell
1Center for Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters and Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23510-1001, USA.
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|June 25, 2003
Summary
Human astroviruses are significant gastrointestinal pathogens causing diarrhea and outbreaks. Molecular methods enhance understanding of astrovirus epidemiology and may inform prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Enteric viral agents like astroviruses and caliciviruses cause significant public health issues, including diarrhea, gastroenteritis outbreaks, and dehydration.
- Improved surveillance and molecular assays have increased awareness of these pathogens, reducing the diagnostic gap for non-bacterial gastroenteritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of human astroviruses as significant gastrointestinal pathogens.
- To highlight advancements in molecular epidemiology and molecular processing of astroviruses.
Main Methods:
- Application of sensitive molecular assays for detection and typing of astroviruses.
- Utilizing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for astrovirus detection.
- Molecular studies on astrovirus protein processing.
Main Results:
- Molecular assays have elucidated the epidemiology of human astroviruses globally.
- The burden of astrovirus infections has been compared to other enteric viruses like rotaviruses and noroviruses.
- New molecular methods have advanced the understanding of astrovirus epidemiology and viral mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Astroviruses are increasingly recognized as important causes of gastrointestinal illness.
- Understanding astrovirus molecular epidemiology and processing is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.