Delacour H, Dubrous P, Koeck J L
Fédération de biologie clinique, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Bégin, Saint Mandé, France.
Med Trop (Mars). 2010 Apr;70(2):111-8.
Although noroviruses were the first viral agents to be linked to gastrointestinal disease, they were long considered a secondary cause far behind rotaviruses. Development of molecular-based diagnostic techniques has provided clearer insight into the epidemiological impact of noroviruses that are now recognized not only as the leading cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks but also as an important cause of sporadic gastroenteritis in both children and adults. Norovirus infection is generally characterized by mild acute vomiting and diarrhea usually lasting for only a few days, but it can lead to more severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms in high-risk groups such as young children, elderly, and immunodeficient persons. It has been demonstrated that they are present in tropical countries. Molecular epidemiological studies have documented the great genetic diversity of noroviruses with regular emergence of variants. Since no vaccine is available, prevention on norovirus infection depends mainly on strict personal and community hygiene measures.
尽管诺如病毒是最早被认为与胃肠道疾病有关的病毒病原体，但长期以来它们一直被视为仅次于轮状病毒的次要病因。基于分子的诊断技术的发展，使人们对诺如病毒的流行病学影响有了更清晰的认识。现在人们认识到，诺如病毒不仅是非细菌性肠胃炎暴发的主要原因，也是儿童和成人散发性肠胃炎的重要病因。诺如病毒感染通常表现为轻度急性呕吐和腹泻，通常仅持续几天，但在幼儿、老年人和免疫功能低下者等高风险人群中，它可能导致更严重甚至危及生命的症状。已经证明它们在热带国家也有存在。分子流行病学研究记录了诺如病毒的巨大遗传多样性以及变异体的定期出现。由于没有可用的疫苗，预防诺如病毒感染主要依赖于严格的个人和社区卫生措施。
