Caliciviruses are positive-sense, single stranded RNA viruses containing four recognized genera: Norovirus, Sapovirus, Lagovirus, and Vesivirus. They are ubiquitous in the environment and are a major cause of disease in humans as well as many animals. Examples include Norwalk virus - a norovirus, thought to be responsible for roughly 90% of epidemic, non-bacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis in humans around the world. The lack of a suitable cell culture system for human caliciviruses has limited studies in previous decades, however the recent application of modern genomic technologies has revolutionized the field, leading to an explosion in calicivirus publications. In this book, a panel of experts distil the most important up-to-date research findings in their respective calicivirus field of study, producing timely and comprehensive reviews. Each chapter gives the reader a brief introduction to the topic, followed by a descriptive discussion of the past and present research areas. Topics include: norovirus epidemiology * calicivirus contamination of the environment * genome organization and recombination, proteolytic cleavage, and viral proteins * viral protein structures * virus-host interactions * calicivirus reverse genetics and replicon systems * feline calicivirus * swine calicivirus * murine norovirus pathogenesis and immunity * murine norovirus translation, replication, and reverse genetics * and lagoviruses. This book will be essential reading for all virologists working on caliciviruses and related viruses and is recommended for all virology, immunology, and molecular biology laboratories.

Viral transmission through contaminated food and water claims hundreds of thousands of lives every year, particularly affecting children in developing nations. Foodborne viral pathogens are associated with gastroenteritis and hepatitis, causing widespread epidemics that affect all populations and demographics worldwide. Foodborne Viral Pathogens comprehensively covers the predominant etiological viral agents of foodborne disease, including norovirus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, astrovirus, sapovirus and rotavirus, and several emerging viruses and prions. By improving food safety awareness and viral detection, and through promotion of global food safety standards, our ability to cope with and control foodborne disease will be enhanced. Foodborne Viral Pathogens includes a detailed review of the molecular biology, potential vaccines, and available antiviral treatments of all major foodborne viral pathogens and prions. Written by specialists and leading virologists, this book features techniques used for typing, viral detection, strategies for control, and viral risk assessments. This book is intended as a detailed handbook for food microbiology and medical applications and will be a useful guide for anyone with an interest in foodborne disease.