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Human caliciviruses and pediatric gastroenteritis
Sarbelio Moreno-Espinosa1, Tibor Farkas, Xi Jiang
1Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Seminars in Pediatric Infectious Diseases
|October 21, 2004
Summary
Human caliciviruses, especially Noroviruses, are a leading cause of pediatric gastroenteritis, sometimes severe. Advances in diagnosis and vaccine development are ongoing for these difficult-to-culture viruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Human caliciviruses, particularly Noroviruses, are a major cause of acute pediatric gastroenteritis, second only to rotavirus.
- Noroviruses can cause severe illness requiring hospitalization, while Sapoviruses typically cause milder, endemic disease.
- These viruses are genetically diverse, with multiple types circulating simultaneously.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent advancements in understanding human caliciviruses.
- To highlight the role of molecular diagnostics in surveillance.
- To discuss progress in classification, diagnosis, and vaccine development.
Main Methods:
- Molecular diagnostic methods for surveillance.
- Genetic and antigenic characterization.
- Research into Norovirus receptor recognition (histoblood group antigens).
Main Results:
- Noroviruses identified as a primary cause of pediatric acute gastroenteritis.
- Sapoviruses identified as a cause of milder endemic pediatric gastroenteritis.
- Discovery of Norovirus binding to human histoblood group antigens.
Conclusions:
- Human caliciviruses remain a significant public health concern in pediatrics.
- Despite challenges in cultivation, substantial progress has been made.
- Future developments in diagnosis and vaccines are anticipated.