From the Guidelines
Astrovirus is a viral agent that causes gastroenteritis, primarily affecting children less than 7 years of age, and can lead to 3%-5% of admissions for diarrhea in hospitalized children. According to a study published in MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1, astroviruses are a significant cause of gastroenteritis in young children, with 75% of British children acquiring antibody by the age of 10 years. The virus is characterized by its star-like appearance under an electron microscope and is typically spread through the fecal-oral route.
Some key features of astrovirus infection include:
- A winter peak, as suggested by Australian data 1
- Mild disease in adults, although they can still be infected
- The presence of antibody to all five serotypes of astrovirus in pooled American gamma globulin from the United States 1
- A clinical syndrome that includes symptoms such as watery diarrhea, vomiting, and mild fever.
Given the potential for astrovirus to cause significant morbidity, particularly in young children, prevention through good hygiene practices, such as thorough handwashing and proper food preparation, is crucial. Additionally, supportive treatment, focusing on preventing dehydration through oral rehydration solutions, is essential in managing astrovirus infections, as no specific antiviral medications exist 1.
From the Research
Definition and Characteristics of Astrovirus
- Astroviruses are nonenveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses that cause gastrointestinal illness 2
- They are a leading cause of pediatric diarrhea, but are among the least characterized enteric RNA viruses 2
Pathogenesis and Transmission
- The astrovirus capsid can act as an enterotoxin, disrupting the gut epithelial barrier 2
- Astroviruses are thought to infect in a species-specific manner, but there is growing evidence that they can cross species barriers 2
- The incidence of astrovirus infection and diarrhea is high, with 35% of children experiencing astrovirus infections and 5.6% of diarrheal stools testing positive for astrovirus 3
Epidemiology and Risk Factors
- Astrovirus infection is a significant cause of diarrhea in children, with an incidence of 2.12 episodes per 100 child-months 3
- Undernutrition is a risk factor for astrovirus infection and diarrhea, with odds of infection and diarrhea reduced by 10% and 13%, respectively, per increase in length-for-age z score 3
- There is some evidence of protective immunity to astrovirus infection, although this is heterogeneous between sites and significant in some countries 3
Note: The study 4 is not relevant to the topic of astrovirus.