Virologie
MENUHuman norovirus: any news? Volume 8, issue 6, nov.-décembre 2004
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Laboratoire de microbiologie, DEL/MIC/MP, Ifremer, BP 21105, 44311 Nantes cedex 03, Department of molecular virology and microbiology, Department of medicine, Baylor college of medicine, One Baylor plaza BCM-385, Houston, TX 77030, USA, Diagnostic laboratory for infectious diseases, National institute for public health and the environment, PO Box 1, 3720BA Bilthoven, Netherlands
- Key words: norovirus, calicivirus, detection, epidemiology
- Page(s) : 435-43
- Published in: 2004
Noroviruses, major agent of gastroenteritis in all age groups, are still not well known. Their high genetic diversity and the absence of a cell culture system complicate their characterization. Furthermore, recent data demonstrate that specific genetic factors are involved in NoV infection. As norovirus are frequently responsible for outbreaks of gastroenteritis, a European survey network has been created to standardize detection methods, facilitate epidemiological studies and the exchange of information. Thanks to this network, the appearance of a new NoV variant has been demonstrated in Europe, giving an explanation to the unusual peaks of NoV outbreaks observed in 2002.