6533b7d9fe1ef96bd126cd23

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Nationwide surveillance study of human astrovirus infections in an Italian paediatric population

P. MoschidouFloriana BonuraMaria Cristina MediciAdriana CalderaroMaria ChironnaFabio TummoloS. De GraziaVito MartellaGiovanni M. Giammanco

subject

Settore MED/07 - Microbiologia E Microbiologia Clinicamedicine.medical_specialtySurveillance studyGenotypeEpidemiologyShort ReportBiologyFecesAstroviridae InfectionsEpidemiologyGenotypePrevalencemedicineHumansGenetic variabilityGenetic diversityInfantHuman astrovirusVirologyNorthern italyAstroviruses epidemiology gastroenteritis virology (human).Infectious DiseasesItalyChild PreschoolPopulation SurveillanceMamastrovirusPaediatric population

description

SUMMARYThe study investigated the genetic diversity of human astroviruses (HAstVs) detected in children hospitalized with gastroenteritis in Italy in 2008–2009. A total of 1321 faecal samples were collected in Parma (northern Italy), Bari (southern Italy), and Palermo (Sicily) and screened for the presence of HAstVs. RT–PCR amplification of a portion at the 5′-end of ORF2 allowed the detection of HAstVs in 3·95% of the patients. Four different genotypes (HAstV-1, HAstV-2, HAstV-4, HAstV-5) were found to be circulating during the study period, with HAstV-1 being the predominant type. Interestingly, a novel lineage, proposed as HAstV-2d, was found to have emerged in Parma in 2009. Investigating the genetic variability of HAstVs will be important for understanding the epidemiological trends and evolution of these viruses.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2012-05-17Epidemiology and Infection
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0950268812000945