Virus

Astrovirus

search

Astrovirus, Astroviridae, Human Astrovirus

  • See Also
  1. Viral Gastroenteritis
  • Epidemiology
  1. Astroviruses were first identified in 1975 after Gastroenteritis outbreak
  2. Astroviruses are now responsible for 2-8% of non-Bacterial Gastroenteritis cases in children (esp. young)
  3. Human Astrovirus causes Gastroenteritis in all ages
    1. Most common in children and Immunocompromised adults
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Astroviridae (Astrovirus)
    1. Family of non-enveloped, spherical-shaped viruses with icosahedral capsid
    2. Astroviridae are named for their star-like ("astro") pointy projections (5-6)
  2. Astroviridae are Message Sense RNA Viruses (Positive Stranded, +ssRNA)
    1. Message sense RNA (+ssRNA) are identical to Messenger RNA (mRNA)
    2. Like mRNA, +ssRNA may be immediately translated by host ribosomes into Protein
  3. Astroviridae are divided into 2 genera
    1. Avastrovirus (AAstV) affecting avian hosts (chicken, turkey and ducks)
    2. Mamastrovirus (MAstV) affecting mammals (including humans)
  1. Winter outbreaks Gastroenteritis, affecting all ages
  2. Typical illness duration 3 days
    1. Illness may be severe (deaths have occurred)
  • Management
  1. See Viral Gastroenteritis
  • Complications
  1. Dehydration
  2. Encephalitis
  • References
  1. De Benedictis (2011) Infect Genet Evol 11(7):1529-44 +PMID: 21843659 [PubMed]