Noroviruses everywhere: has something changed?
OBJECTIVE
Noroviruses causing gastroenteritis in humans have increasingly been described in both the scientific literature and the lay press. This review summarizes new information about where and why these viruses are detected as well as new developments to prevent or treat these infections.


RESULTS
Noroviruses are highly infectious and quite stable. Noroviruses infect all age groups, with particularly severe disease occurring in young children, the elderly, and persons with chronic diseases. Noroviruses also cause persistent infections in immunosuppressed patients. Host susceptibility factors have been identified, including histo-blood group antigens that likely function as initial receptors for some noroviruses. The patterns of susceptibility are complex, however, and not completely understood for all virus strains. X-ray crystallographic information on the virus capsid and other viral-encoded proteins provides targets for structure-based drug development.


CONCLUSIONS
The availability of new methods of detecting noroviruses has resulted in increased detection of these pathogens. Advances in understanding of virus replication and structure should lead to development of strategies to prevent and treat these infections. Such efforts may be challenged by the emergence of new virus strains that appear through mechanisms that remain to be understood.
Estes
Mary K
MK
Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. mestes@bcm.edu
Prasad
Bv Verkataram
BV
Atmar
Robert L
RL
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015195:Drug Design; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D029322:Norovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000998:Antiviral Agents