Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
10:40
Analysis of Group IV Viral SSHHPS Using In Vitro and In Silico Methods
Published on: December 21, 2019
Human sapoviruses: genetic diversity, recombination, and classification
Grant S Hansman1, Tomoichiro Oka, Kazuhiko Katayama
1Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo, Japan. ghansman@nih.go.jp
Reviews in Medical Virology
|March 7, 2007
Summary
Sapporo virus (SaV) causes gastroenteritis, particularly in young children. Recent findings show SaV in environmental and food samples, highlighting its increasing importance in human health.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Public Health
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Sapporo virus (SaV) belongs to the Caliciviridae family, a known cause of gastroenteritis in humans.
- SaV is classified into five genogroups (GI-GV), with GI, GII, GIV, and GV infecting humans and GIII infecting pigs.
- Human SaV infections are more prevalent in young children, especially those in day-care settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on human Sapporo virus (SaV).
- To highlight SaV as an emerging cause of human gastroenteritis.
- To discuss recent findings on SaV detection and prevalence.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on Sapporo virus.
- Analysis of detection methods including ELISA, RT-PCR, and real-time RT-PCR.
- Synthesis of data on SaV incidence, prevalence, and transmission routes.
Main Results:
- SaV strains have been detected in various environmental samples, including wastewater and river water.
- SaV has also been identified in shellfish intended for human consumption.
- Recombinant SaV strains have been reported globally, indicating widespread circulation.
Conclusions:
- Sapporo virus is an increasingly significant viral agent causing gastroenteritis in humans.
- Further research is needed to fully understand SaV incidence, detection rates, and prevalence.
- Environmental and foodborne transmission routes are critical considerations for SaV control.
Related Concept Videos
00:57Viral Recombination
Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
00:36Viral Mutations
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...
02:54Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
01:29Viruses of Archaea
Archaeal viruses play a crucial role in the ecosystems of extremophilic archaea, particularly those belonging to the phyla Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. By shaping host evolution and facilitating gene transfer, these viruses influence microbial communities and contribute to genetic diversity in extreme environments. The archaea they infect thrive in acidic hot springs and hydrothermal vents characterized by high temperatures and low pH. Archaeal viruses exhibit remarkable structural...
02:33Retroviruses
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...