Recombination was first described in the human caliciviruses in 1997. Since then naturally occurring recombinants have been detected for all four genera of the Caliciviridae and has become an important mechanism in the emergence of new calicivirus variants. Due to similarities in genome organization between the different genera, recombination predomoninantly occurs at the start of the major structural gene which encodes the capsid, VP1. Knowledge of the mechanisms of calicivirus recombination is important as new variants can emerge, with potentially different pathogenesis and virulence.

Further reading: Caliciviruses: Molecular and Cellular Virology

Labels: Caliciviridae, Calicivirus, Caliciviruses, Lagovirus, Norovirus, Sapovirus, Vesivirus