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Kobuviruses - a comprehensive review
Gábor Reuter1, Akos Boros, Péter Pankovics
1National Reference Laboratory of Gastroenteric Viruses, ÁNTSZ Regional Institute of State Public Health Service, Pécs, Hungary. reuter.gabor@ddr.antsz.hu
Reviews in Medical Virology
|February 5, 2011
Summary
Kobuviruses, including Aichi virus, infect humans, cattle, and swine, potentially causing gastroenteritis and diarrhea. High seroprevalence suggests widespread, often asymptomatic, kobuvirus infections in human populations.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Kobuviruses belong to the Picornaviridae family, with identified species in humans (Aichi virus), cattle (Bovine kobuvirus), and swine ('porcine kobuvirus').
- Kobu-like viruses have also been recently detected in bats.
- Aichi virus is a suspected cause of human gastroenteritis, while kobuviruses are implicated in diarrhea in cattle and swine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on kobuviruses, encompassing their taxonomy, biology, and viral characteristics.
- To summarize all aspects of kobuvirus infections, including epidemiology, clinical manifestations, host range, and diagnostic methods.
- To provide an overview of potential future research directions in kobuvirus studies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on kobuviruses.
- Synthesis of data on viral taxonomy, host species, and disease associations.
- Analysis of epidemiological data, including seroprevalence and clinical findings.
Main Results:
- Aichi virus shows low detection rates in human diarrhea but high seroprevalence, indicating widespread exposure.
- Kobuviruses infect diverse mammalian hosts, including humans, cattle, swine, and bats.
- Information on kobuvirus epidemiology, diagnosis, and clinical impact has significantly advanced.
Conclusions:
- Kobuviruses represent a significant group of viruses with a broad host range and potential impact on animal and human health.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the pathogenesis, transmission, and public health implications of kobuvirus infections.
- Continued surveillance and diagnostic development are crucial for managing kobuvirus-related diseases.
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