Norovirus Gastroenteritis

• Published in: The New England journal of medicine Vol. 361; no. 18; pp. 1776 - 1785
• Main Authors: Glass, Roger I, Parashar, Umesh D, Estes, Mary K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Waltham, MA Massachusetts Medical Society 29.10.2009
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Caliciviridae Infections - diagnosis; Caliciviridae Infections - epidemiology; Caliciviridae Infections - therapy; Caliciviridae Infections - transmission; Gastroenteritis - virology; General aspects; Genome, Viral; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Norovirus - classification; Norovirus - genetics; Norovirus - ultrastructure; Phylogeny; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the digestive system; Medicine; Viral gastroenteritis; Norovirus
• ISSN: 0028-4793; 1533-4406
• DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra0804575

Noroviruses are now recognized as the leading cause of epidemics of gastroenteritis and an important cause of sporadic gastroenteritis among both children and adults. In the United States, more than 90% of the outbreaks of gastroenteritis for which the cause could not previously be identified can now be attributed to this virus. Understanding the nature of immunity to the norovirus is a key determinant for future improvements in the control and prevention of this viral infection. Noroviruses are now recognized as the leading cause of epidemics of gastroenteritis. Understanding the nature of immunity to the norovirus is a key determinant for future improvements in the control and prevention of this viral infection. The Norwalk agent was the first virus that was identified as causing gastroenteritis in humans, but recognition of its importance as a pathogen has been limited because of the lack of available, sensitive, and routine diagnostic methods. Recent advances in understanding the molecular biology of the noroviruses, coupled with applications of novel diagnostic techniques, have radically altered our appreciation of their impact. Noroviruses are now recognized as being the leading cause of epidemics of gastroenteritis and an important cause of sporadic gastroenteritis in both children and adults. Although norovirus gastroenteritis is generally mild and of short duration, new evidence suggests . . .