We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Nationwide surveillance study of human astrovirus infections in an Italian paediatric population.
- Authors
DE Grazia, S; Martella, V; Chironna, M; Bonura, F; Tummolo, F; Calderaro, A; Moschidou, P; Giammanco, G M; Medici, M C
- Abstract
The 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.
- Publication
Epidemiology & Infection, 2013, Vol 141, Issue 3, p524
- ISSN
0950-2688
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1017/S0950268812000945