Human noroviruses (NoV) are associated with large proportion of non-bacterial
diarrhea outbreaks together with > 50% of food-associated
diarrheas. The function of histo-
blood group antigens (HBGAs) in pathogenesis of
virus infection was implicated. Until recently however, due to lack of a robust animal and in vitro models of human NoV
infection, only the partial knowledge concerning the virus pathogenesis (receptor, co-receptor and target cell) and absence of viable
vaccine candidates were the frequently referenced attributes of this acute diarrheal illness. Recently, a novel group of enteric caliciviruses (CV) of rhesus macaque host origin was discovered and described. The new genus within the family Caliciviridae was identified: Rhesus Enteric CV, i.e., "Recovirus" (ReCV). ReCVs are genetically and biologically close relatives of human NoVs, exhibit similar genetic and
biological features and are capable of being propagated in cell culture. ReCVs cause symptomatic disease (
diarrhea and
fever) in experimentally inoculated macaques. Formulation and evaluation of efficient NoV
vaccine might take several years. As suggested by recent studies, inhibition of HBGAs or HBGA-based
antivirals could meanwhile be exploited as
vaccine alternatives. The purpose of this minireview is to provide the guidance in respect to newly available primate model of enteric CV
infection and its similarities with human NoV in utilizing the HBGAs as potential virus co-receptors to indirectly address the unresolved questions of NoV pathogenesis and immunity.