H. Kawamoto et al., SMALL, ROUND-STRUCTURED VIRUSES (SRSVS) ASSOCIATED WITH ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS OUTBREAKS IN GIFU, JAPAN, Microbiology and immunology, 37(12), 1993, pp. 991-997
Two outbreaks of non-bacterial gastroenteritis occurred in Gifu prefec
ture in January 1989 and in January 1991. Both outbreaks were closely
related to the consumption of raw oysters, and showed similar clinical
features. Small, round-structured virus particles were found in patie
nt stools in both outbreaks by electron microscopy. The role of these
particles as the causative agents of the outbreaks were strongly sugge
sted by immune electron microscopy and/or western-blotting immunoassay
. When compared with SRSV-9 (Tokyo/SRSV/86-510) reported previously (H
ayashi et al, J. Clin. Microbiol., 27: 1728-1733, 1989), it was found
that these viral particles were antigenically similar to SRSV-9, and h
ad a major structural protein of 63 kilodaltons (kDa). Further, the pr
evalence of this agent in Gifu area was examined by western blot antib
ody assay using 67 serum samples collected from the inhabitants in 199
1. The results indicated the circulation of the same or antigenically
similar agent in this area.