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Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR
Published on: July 22, 2012
Multiple novel astrovirus species in human stool
A Kapoor1, L Li1, J Victoria1
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, and Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA.
The Journal of General Virology
|August 21, 2009
Summary
New astrovirus species (HMOAstV) were discovered in human stool samples, potentially originating from animal transmission. Further research is needed to understand their role in gastroenteritis, especially in developing nations.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
- Public Health
Background:
- Diarrhea is a major health issue in developing countries with many unknown causes.
- Astroviruses are emerging pathogens linked to gastroenteritis in animals and humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of astrovirus-related RNA sequences in human stool samples globally.
- To identify novel astrovirus species and understand their zoonotic potential.
Main Methods:
- Pan-astrovirus reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used.
- Human stool samples from various continents were analyzed for astrovirus RNA.
Main Results:
- Variants of known human astrovirus species were identified.
- Three novel astrovirus species (HMOAstV A-C), distinct from known human strains, were discovered.
- These novel species are evolutionarily closer to animal astroviruses, suggesting zoonotic origins.
Conclusions:
- Human astroviruses may frequently emerge from zoonotic transmissions.
- The newly identified HMOAstV species, found in Nigeria, Nepal, and Pakistan, warrant further investigation for their role in human gastroenteritis.
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