[Molecular genetic characteristics of astroviruses circulating in Novosibirsk].

A total of 1107 fecal samples from young children admitted to hospital for acute enteric infection in January to December 2007 were tested for astroviruses. Astroviruses were detected in 64 (5.8%) of the 1107 stool samples, only 50% of them were found as monoinfections. Astroviruses were recorded throughout the year; however, no seasonality for this infection could be ascertained. Cases of astrovirus infection were mainly observed in infants under one year of age (90%). Astroviruses were typed sequencing the ORF2 fragment; only HAstV-1 and HAstV-2 were found in Novosibirsk.