Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 9, 2026

A High-throughput Platform for the Screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp.
06:55

A High-throughput Platform for the Screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp.

Published on: November 7, 2018

Outbreak of gastroenteritis in military recruits associated with serotype 3 astrovirus infection

G Belliot1, H Laveran, S S Monroe

  • 1Service d'Hygiene Hospitalière, Faculté de Médecine, Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Journal of Medical Virology
|February 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

A serotype 3 astrovirus outbreak caused acute gastroenteritis in French military recruits. This study characterized the virus, confirming its role in the illness and noting its distinct protein composition compared to other astrovirus serotypes.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Acute gastroenteritis outbreaks can be caused by various viral agents.
  • Astroviruses are a significant cause of gastroenteritis, particularly in young populations.
  • Understanding the specific serotypes and their characteristics is crucial for outbreak management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize the astrovirus serotype responsible for an acute gastroenteritis outbreak among military recruits in France.
  • To confirm the etiological role of the identified astrovirus in the outbreak.
  • To investigate the protein composition and antigenic properties of the outbreak-associated astrovirus.

Main Methods:

  • Detection of astrovirus in stool samples using electron microscopy and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  • Serological analysis of paired acute- and convalescent-phase serum samples using solid-phase immune electron microscopy (SPIEM) and dot blot assays.
  • Characterization of viral proteins through immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting.

Main Results:

  • A serotype 3 astrovirus was detected in stool samples from affected individuals.
  • Seroconversion was observed in seven patients, with results consistent with RT-PCR findings in three.
  • The characterized serotype 3 astrovirus exhibited a distinct protein composition compared to serotype 1 astrovirus.

Conclusions:

  • Serotype 3 astrovirus was confirmed as a causative agent of acute gastroenteritis in this military recruit population.
  • The study highlights heterogeneity in astrovirus capsid protein composition among different serotypes.
  • Findings contribute to the understanding of astrovirus diversity and its role in human disease outbreaks.

More Related Videos

Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice08:53

Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice

Published on: December 4, 2020

Adapting Gastrointestinal Organoids for Pathogen Infection and Single Cell Sequencing under Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Conditions07:59

Adapting Gastrointestinal Organoids for Pathogen Infection and Single Cell Sequencing under Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Conditions

Published on: September 10, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Cholera01:25

Cholera

Cholera is an acute gastrointestinal disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route through the ingestion of contaminated water or food.Vibrio cholerae is a motile, Gram-negative bacterium of the family Vibrionaceae, primarily associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas with inadequate sanitation. Although over 200 serogroups of V. cholerae exist, only O1 and O139 are responsible for epidemic cholera. The O1 serogroup,...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...