ABSTRACT
This chapter provides state-of-the-art overviews on foodborne diseases caused by Kobuviruses in relation to their etiology, biology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Viral gastroenteritis is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in children in developing countries. Kobuviruses are classified into the genus Kobuvirus, family Picornaviridae. Kobuviruses are nonenvelope viruses of approximately 27-30 nm in diameter with a polyadenylated single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome. Kobuviruses belong to a fast-growing genus in the Picornaviridae family that can infect both human and animal hosts, including mammalian, nonmammalian, domestic, and wild animals. In addition, the virus can be detected in the environmental sources. Continuous surveillance of kobuviruses in human and various animal species as well as in environmental sources in different countries around the world and molecular characterization of these viruses will allow the identification of additional novel kobuvirus species and types.
