Are members of the family Caliciviridae They are important agents of viral gastroenteritis in humans.

. The most significant member is Norwalk virus are similar to picornaviruses but are slightly larger (2740 nm) and contain a single major structural protein. exhibit a distinctive morphology in the electron microscope.

Virion: Icosahedral, 2740 nm in diameter, cup-like depressions on capsid surface.

Genome: Single-stranded RNA, linear, positive-sense, nonsegmented; 7.48.3 kb in size; contains genomelinked protein (VPg)

Proteins: Polypeptides cleaved from a precursor polyprotein; capsid is composed of a single protein

 Envelope: None Replication: Cytoplasm Outstanding characteristics:

Noroviruses are major cause of nonbacterial epidemic gastroenteritis Human viruses are noncultivable

Four genera:
Norovirus Sapovirus Lagovirus Vesivirus

 Norovirus- includes the Norwalk viruses, human viruses cannot be cultured. Sapovirus- includes the Sapporo-like viruses, human viruses cannot be cultured.

 Lagovirus- includes rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, contains only animal strains that can be grown in vitro.
Vesivirus- includes vesicular exanthem virus of swine, feline calicivirus, and marine viruses found in pinnipeds, whales, and fish, contains only animal strains that can be grown in vitro.

Clinical Findings are the most important cause of epidemic viral gastroenteritis in adults.

Norwalk viral gastroenteritis has an incubation period of 2448 hours. Onset is rapid, and the clinical course is brief, lasting 1260 hours

Clinical Findings symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, low-grade fever, abdominal cramps, headache, and malaise. are more likely to induce vomiting than those with Sapporo-like viruses. Dehydration is the most common complication in the young and elderly.

Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction Electron microscopy ELISA immunoassays

Treatment is symptomatic. Proper disposal of stool Effective hand washing disinfection of soiled areas and bedding Careful processing of food and education of food handlers Purification of drinking water and swimming pool water