HUMAN ASTROVIRUS SEROTYPES 1-8

A colorized electron micrograph of astrovirus.

Time-line

• By the 1980s, five human astrovirus serotypes were identified by immunofluorescence, neutralization, and immunosorbent enzyme immunoassay.
• In 1989, serotype 6 was identified.
• Between 1991 and 1992, serotype 7 was identified.
• An eighth serotype has been recently recognized.
• Presently, there are a total of eight known serotypes.

Other facts

• Immunofluorescence tests and enzyme immunoassays have demonstrated the serotype-specificity of antiserum derived from animals immunized with human serotypes 1-7.

• A monoclonal antibody produced by Herrmann et al. has served as a capture antibody in enzyme immunoassays in numerous seroepidemiologic studies. This monoclonal antibody targets a viral structural protein and recognizes all 7 human serotypes.

 

Serotypes detected in different geographic areas

 

In general, serotype 1 appears to be the most prevalent strain, but serotype 4 has been associated with severe gastroenteritis in young adults.

• Serotype 1 appears to be the prevalent strain in the UK. It is most common in Europe, the US, Australia, and Japan.
• In Europe, serotype 3 is second or third most common.
• Serotypes 3 and 4 are increasing in importance in the UK.
• Serotype 2 appears to be prevalent in Mexico, and type 1 appears to be relatively rare.
• In Japan, food-borne outbreaks of serotype 6 have affected thousands of children and adults.
• In the US, human serotypes 1-5 have been detected.