N — Norovirus
Noroviruses are non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA viruses in the Caliciviridae family and a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Their environmental stability and low infectious dose facilitate rapid outbreaks.
Norovirus infects enterocytes and possibly immune cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Viral replication disrupts epithelial barrier function and alters intestinal secretion and absorption, leading to diarrhoea and vomiting.
Host susceptibility is influenced by histo-blood group antigens, which serve as attachment factors. Immunity is strain-specific and short-lived due to viral antigenic diversity.
Clinically, infection causes abrupt-onset vomiting, watery diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps. Disease is usually self-limited but can be severe in young children, elderly individuals, or immunocompromised hosts.
Research focuses on viral evolution, mechanisms of immune escape, and vaccine development despite extensive antigenic variation.
Noroviruses are non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA viruses in the Caliciviridae family and a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Their environmental stability and low infectious dose facilitate rapid outbreaks.
Norovirus infects enterocytes and possibly immune cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Viral replication disrupts epithelial barrier function and alters intestinal secretion and absorption, leading to diarrhoea and vomiting.
Host susceptibility is influenced by histo-blood group antigens, which serve as attachment factors. Immunity is strain-specific and short-lived due to viral antigenic diversity.
Clinically, infection causes abrupt-onset vomiting, watery diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps. Disease is usually self-limited but can be severe in young children, elderly individuals, or immunocompromised hosts.
Research focuses on viral evolution, mechanisms of immune escape, and vaccine development despite extensive antigenic variation.