Viruses, Vol. 11, Pages 144: Human Sapovirus among Outpatients with Acute Gastroenteritis in Spain: A One-Year Study

Viruses, Vol. 11, Pages 144: Human Sapovirus among Outpatients with Acute Gastroenteritis in Spain: A One-Year Study Viruses doi: 10.3390/v11020144 Authors: Varela Rivadulla Lema Romalde Viral agents of human gastroenteritis affect people of all ages across the globe. As a mainly self-limiting disease, it is difficult to evaluate the real prevalence of etiological agents circulating in each region. Many of the analyzed outbreaks are caused by viruses of the family Caliciviridae, especially the genus Norovirus (NoV). Most studies have focused on other enteric viruses, leaving sapovirus (SaV) underestimated as an important emerging human threat. This one-year study analyzed clinical samples from hospital outpatients with acute gastroenteritis in Spain, with the aim of revealing the importance of human SaV as an emerging viral pathogen. A total of 2667 stools were tested using reverse transcription (RT)-qPCR to detect and quantify SaV. Sapovirus was detected in all age groups, especially in infants, children, and the elderly. The prevalence was 15.64% (417/2667), and was slightly higher in 0–2- and 3–5-year-olds (19.53% and 17.95%, respectively) and much lower in 13–18-year-olds (9.86%). Positive samples were detected throughout the year, with peaks of detection during autumn and the late winter to early spring months. The mean value for the quantified samples was 6.5 × 105 genome copies per gram of stool ...
Source: Viruses - Category: Virology Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research