ABSTRACT
Gastroenteritis is one of the most common diseases of mankind. Enteric viruses are important causes of gastroenteritis, but the overall contribution of these agents to disease burden is unknown. Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting) can be observed following infection with other viruses (e.g., influenza, SARS coronavirus, dengue, hepatitis), although such infections can usually be suspected based upon the presence of other clinical signs or symptoms. This chapter will focus on the identification and diagnosis of human enteric viruses that primarily cause a gastroenteritis illness.
