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The candidate caliciviruses

W D Cubitt

    Ciba Foundation Symposium
    |January 1, 1987
    PubMed

    Insights

    Caliciviruses, small RNA viruses, cause gut infections and diarrhea in humans and animals. Research highlights their structure, replication, and role in disease outbreaks.

    Area of Science:

    • Virology
    • Gastroenterology

    Background:

    • Caliciviridae are small (35-40 nm) RNA viruses characterized by a cupped morphology.
    • They possess a single major structural polypeptide (Mr 60,000-71,000).
    • Caliciviruses have been detected in various hosts, including humans, animals, and insects, associated with diarrheal diseases.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the characteristics and role of Caliciviridae in diarrheal diseases across different species.
    • To understand the replication mechanisms and structural components of these viruses.
    • To explore diagnostic methods for caliciviruses.

    Main Methods:

    • Electron microscopy was used to identify viral particles in faeces.
    • In vivo experiments assessed species specificity and replication in the gut.
    • Biochemical characterization involved fluorescence and radiolabelling experiments.
    • Diagnosis utilized electron microscopy, fluorescence labelling, and radioimmunoassays for human strains.

    Main Results:

    • Caliciviruses were identified in faeces of humans, domestic animals, birds, reptiles, and insects.
    • In vivo studies confirmed gut replication, leading to diarrhea and failure to thrive.
    • Human, canine, and chicken viruses replicate in the cytoplasm with an RNA genome.
    • A major structural polypeptide was identified in human, canine, and insect viruses.

    Conclusions:

    • Caliciviruses are significant agents of diarrheal disease in a wide range of hosts.
    • Human caliciviruses are increasingly recognized as common causes of gastroenteritis outbreaks.
    • Further research is needed due to challenges in in vitro cultivation and limited epidemiological data.

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