Molecular epidemiology of astrovirus infection in Italian children with gastroenteritis.
Abstract A 1-year study involving 157 gastroenteritis samples was conducted to investigate the role of human astrovirus (HAstV) as a cause of gastroenteritis in Italian children aged < 2 years. The overall incidence of HAstV was 3.1%. Most cases occurred between March and May, and four of the five isolates were of the HAstV-1 type, the other being HAstV-3. Analysis of genetic variability showed that the three HAstV-1 isolates collected in 2000 clustered together, but separately from the 1999 isolate. The results indicated that HAstV should be considered as a potential diarrhoeal pathogen in Italian children.
De Grazia
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Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Giammanco
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GM
Colomba
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Cascio
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A
Arista
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D019350:Astroviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D002460:Cell Line; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001257:Mamastrovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny