Isolation and characterization of an astrovirus causing fatal visceral gout in domestic goslings

Zhang, Qingshui; Cao, Yanxin; Wang, Jun; Fu, Guanghua; Sun, Mengxu; Zhang, Lijiao; Meng, Li; Cui, Guolin; Huang, Yu; Hu, Xueying; Su, Jingliang

Astroviruses (AstVs) are non-enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the Astroviridae family. Currently, two genera: namely Mamastrovirus and Avastrovirus are distinguished within this family. The genus Mamastrovirus includes astrovirus species isolated from humans and a number of mammals. Isolates originated from avian species, such as turkey, chickens, ducks, and other birds are classified into the genus Avastrovirus 1, 2 . AstVs have been detected in humans and a variety of animal species, including nonhuman primates, other mammals and avian species [3] [4] [5] . Their genomes are 6.8-7.9 kb in length, consisting of a 5′untranslated region (UTR), three open reading frames (ORFs), a 3′-UTR and a poly (A) tail 6 . The high degree of genetic diversity among AstVs and their recombination potential signify their capacity to cause a broad spectrum of diseases in multiple host species 3, 7, 8 . Human classical AstVs are a frequent cause of acute gastroenteritis in young children and the elderly, occasionally with encephalitis 8 .