Molecular epidemiology of astroviruses in Japan from 1995 to 1998 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with serotype-specific primers (1 to 8).
In addition to the serotype-specific primers described previously (1 to 7), a new serotype 8-specific primer has been designed, allowing detection of all astrovirus serotypes. A total of 1,382 diarrheal stool samples in 5 regions in Japan were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The incidence of astrovirus infection in all 5 regions was 5.9% (82 of 1,382 samples) and infection occurred mainly from November to April. Serotypes 1, 3, and 4 were detected in 66, 14, and 2 of the 82 positive samples, respectively. None of the other serotypes was detected. The highest detection rate was from 0 to 1 year old, 39.0%, and the next highest was from 1 to 2 years old, 34.1%. The primers provide a useful approach for study of the epidemiology of astroviruses.
Sakamoto
T
T
Department of Developmental Medical Sciences, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Negishi
H
H
Wang
Q H
QH
Akihara
S
S
Kim
B
B
Nishimura
S
S
Kaneshi
K
K
Nakaya
S
S
Ueda
Y
Y
Sugita
K
K
Motohiro
T
T
Nishimura
T
T
Ushijima
H
H
D019350:Astroviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017931:DNA Primers; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D001257:Mamastrovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012621:Seasons; D012703:Serotyping
D017931:DNA Primers; D012367:RNA, Viral