Aichivirus A | |
---|---|
Virus classification | |
(unranked): | Virus |
Realm: | Riboviria |
Kingdom: | Orthornavirae |
Phylum: | Pisuviricota |
Class: | Pisoniviricetes |
Order: | Picornavirales |
Family: | Picornaviridae |
Genus: | Kobuvirus |
Species: | Aichivirus A
|
Aichivirus A formerly Aichi virus (AiV)[1] belongs to the genus Kobuvirus in the family Picornaviridae.[2] Six species are part of the genus Kobuvirus, Aichivirus A-F.[3] Within Aichivirus A, there are six different types including human Aichi virus, canine kobuvirus, murine kobuvirus, Kathmandu sewage kobuvirus, roller kobuvirus, and feline kobuvirus.[3] Three different genotypes are found in human Aichi virus, represented as genotype A, B, and C.[3]
AiV is a non-enveloped positive sense ssRNA virus with icosahedral morphology.[3] Aichivirus A was originally identified after a 1989 outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in the Aichi Prefecture that was linked to raw oyster consumption per genetic analysis.[1][4][5] Human Aichi Virus can cause gastroenteritis with symptoms arising such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and feve.[3][6]
Aichivirus A can be found in a variety of environmental areas including sewage, groundwater, river water, and shellfish.[2] Aichivirus A is present in many world regions, and in sometimes greater abundance than other well-known enteric viruses.[2] Aichiviruses have been seen in Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa.[2] It has since been isolated in populations of Finnish children,[7] Pakistani children, and Japanese travelers.[8] The widespread nature of aichivirus A can be seen in the high percentage of AiV antibodies in adult human populations found in several countries.[3]
Transmission occurs through the fecal-oral route.[2] After the virus is replicated in the gastrointestinal tract, the pathogen can be found in fecal samples of infected individuals.[2] Water and shellfish contaminated with human sewage can propagate aichivirus A.[2]