Noroviruses can be inactivated with ozone gas
Noroviruses can be inactivated by exposure to ozone gas in hotel rooms, cabins and health care facilities. Check it out here!
Multiple recombinant noroviruses in Japan
Phylogenetic analysis reveals that multiple recombinant noroviruses, which were both dependently and independently introduced from four different continents (Asia, America, Europe, and Oceania), emerged to cause acute gastroenteritis among Japanese children. Of these, "new variant" noroviruses suddenly emerged to become the leading strain in Japan for the first time. This report is also the first indication of the existence of multiple recombinant noroviruses co-circulating in Japan. Check it out here!
NMR experiment reveals the molecular basis of receptor recognition by caliciviruses
NMR experiments have revealed the atomic details of the recognition of HBGAs and fragments thereof by Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, a calicivirus. This study has shown that l-fucose is a minimal structural requirement for specific molecular recognition by the virus. Such research may pave the way for the development of novel anti-viral entry inhibitors. Check it out here!
Analysis reveals highly conserved protein residues on surface of intraspecies calicivirus proteases
A common feature of caliciviruses is the proteolytic processing of the viral polyprotein catalyzed by the viral protease encoded in open reading frame 1 (ORF1). This study reports a significantly conserved catalytic surface of the sapovirus and feline calicivirus proteases, indicating phylogenetic similarity. Check it out here!
Intragenotype recombinant sapovirus in Japan
RT-PCR analysis of sapovirus collected from fecal specimens during outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis in Japan revealed that intragenotype recombinant sapovirus is rapidly becoming the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in Japan for the first time. This finding suggest that the sapovirus recombination between human and animal hardly takes place in nature. This is also the first evidence of the emergence of the intragenotype recombinant sapovirus with its causing diarrheal illness in Japan. Check it out here!