Molecular epidemiology of astroviruses in Japan from 1995 to 1998 by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction with serotype‐specific primers (1 to 8)

Abstract

In addition to the serotype-specific primers described previously (1 to 7), a new serotype 8-specific primer has been designed, allowing detection of all astrovirus serotypes. A total of 1,382 diarrheal stool samples in 5 regions in Japan were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The incidence of astrovirus infection in all 5 regions was 5.9% (82 of 1,382 samples) and infection occurred mainly from November to April. Serotypes 1, 3, and 4 were detected in 66, 14, and 2 of the 82 positive samples, respectively. None of the other serotypes was detected. The highest detection rate was from 0 to 1 year old, 39.0%, and the next highest was from 1 to 2 years old, 34.1%. The primers provide a useful approach for study of the epidemiology of astroviruses.

Molecular epidemiology of human astrovirus infections in Saudi Arabia pediatric patients

“…Astrovirus, ELISA positive samples (19 samples) were further investigated using RT‐PCR in order to determine the type of the virus present. The approach for this typing was developed by Matsui et al [1998] and extended to include astrovirus type 8 by Sakamoto et al [2000]. Of the 19 ELISA‐positive samples, 18 were also found to be positive in multiplex RT‐PCR.…”

“…Astroviruses were identified by semi‐nested multiplex RT‐PCR targeting the capsid protein gene. All antigenic types can be amplified using the primer set End (−) and For (+) in RT‐PCR [Matsui et al, 1998; Sakamoto et al, 2000]. Semi‐nested RT‐PCR was then performed on this product as described above for rotavirus.…”

“…Eight serotypes of HAstV have been identified, according to the reactivity of the capsid proteins with polyclonal sera and monoclonal antibodies, but type 7 is extremely rare [Noel and Cubitt 1994; Noel et al, 1995]. Methods such as ELISA, RT‐PCR, and real‐time PCR have revealed that astroviruses are a common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children worldwide [Glass et al, 1996; Sakamoto et al, 2000; Sakon et al, 2000; Grimm et al, 2004]. Estimates of astrovirus incidence vary in different locations: Studies have shown a remarkably wide variation in astrovirus prevalence in cases of symptomatic diarrhea: Astroviruses accounted for 8.6% of such cases in Thailand [Herrmann et al, 1991], 4.2% in Melbourne [Palombo and Bishop, 1996], 61% in Chiapas and Mexico [Maldonado et al, 1998], 4.9% in Spain [Guix et al, 2002], and 52% in India in 2006 [Bhattacharya et al, 2006].…”

Molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of human astrovirus in South Korea from 2002 to 2007

“…A 348‐bp segment located between nucleotides 258 and 606 of full‐length ORF2 has commonly been used for genotyping HAstV in previous studies, and eight serotypes of HAstV have been identified. Typing surveys indicate that genotype 1 (HAstV‐1) is the most prevalent, genotypes 2–4 are common, and genotypes 5–7 are relatively uncommon; genotype 8 has only recently been identified [1,7–12]. The present study summarizes the results of a 6‐year period of nationwide surveillance in South Korea (hereafter referred to as ‘Korea’) conducted to determine the epidemiological prevalence of HAstV gastroenteritis and characterize the HAstV genotypes circulating across the country.…”

Aetiological importance of viruses causing acute gastroenteritis in humans

“…Classic HAstV have been known to be associated with AGE especially in children with prevalence rates of 1.4-6.6% in Australia [34][35][36] , and 4.9-8.6% in overseas reports [37][38][39][40] . Higher rates (39%) have been reported in children less than one year old 40 with more recent studies in which astrovirus prevalence in AGE has been reported to be much lower, 0.9-3.2% 16,17,26,30 .…”