- First off, I should emphasize that the Houston Astros were NOT named after astroviruses.  And thats 
good cause if they were, that would be one stinky clubhouse (as will be explained more clearly in the 
diarrhea section . . .)

- Astroviruses are small RNA viruses.  They are endemic to the world and cause gastroenteritis, a disease 
affecting millions worldwide.  Astroviruses may be the second leading cause of gastroenteritis (behind 
Rotavirus). 

- Their genome is single standed, positive sense, and monopartite (nonsegmented).

- They have icosahedral capsid morphology, are naked (nonenveloped) and are 28-30 nm in diameter

- Their genome is 6.8 kb in length, not including the poly-adenylated tail

- Their name refers to their characteristic starlike EM appearance. (astron means "star" in Greek.)  

- Astroviruses share many similarities to two other viral families, the picornavirus family and the calicivirus family.  However, there are enough differences between the three, primarily in their molecular biology, to distinguish them a to place them in their own families.

- In humans astrovirus infection causes gastroenteritis.  Astrovirus gastroenteritis resembles mild Rotavirus gastroenteritis and includes 2-3 days of watery diarrhea accompanied by abdominal discomfort.

Created by Gavin Williams
Human Biology 115A
Winter, 2002
Robert Siegel, instructor