Abstract
BackgroundNoroviruses (NoVs) are the most common cause of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in all age groups worldwide. The NoVs circulating in Huzhou over the past 7 years were predominantly GII.4 genotypes. In the winter of 2014–2015, a novel variant of NoV GII.17 emerged and became predominant. We report the epidemiological patterns and genetic characteristics of NoV after the appearance of GII.17 in Huzhou City, Zhejiang, China.MethodsBetween January and December 2015, 746 stool specimens collected from patients with acute gastroenteritis were screened for NoV. Real-time RT-PCR (qPCR) was performed for NoV detection. RT-PCR was used for genomic amplification and sequencing. Genogroups and genotypes were assigned using an online NoV typing tool (http://www.rivm.nl/mpf/norovirus/typingtool). Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using MEGA (ver. 6.06).ResultsIn total, 196 (26.3%) specimens were identified as NoV-positive. NoV infection was found in all age groups tested (≤5, 6–15, 16–40, 41–60, and ≥60 years), with the 16–40-year age group having the highest detection rate (117/196, 59.7%). Of the 196 NoV-positive specimens, 191 (97.5%) viruses belonged to GII, and 4 (2.0%) to GI; one sample showed GI and GII co-infection. Overall, 117 (59.7%) viruses were sequenced, and new GII.P17/GII.17 variants were the dominant genotype, accounting for 75.2%, followed by GII.Pe/GII.4 Sydney 2012 strains (11.11%). AGE patients infected with the GII.P17/GII.17 genotypes almost all had abdominal pain and watery stools.ConclusionsWe report the epidemiological patterns and genetic characteristics of the emergence GII.17 over the GII.4 in Huzhou between January and December 2015. After the emergence of GII.17 in October 2014, it steadily replaced the previously circulating GII.4 Sydney 2012 strain, and continued to be dominant in 2015.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-2033-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Noroviruses (NoVs) are the most common cause of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in all age groups worldwide
Did GII.17 appear in Huzhou temporarily, or did it replace GII.4 forever? Here, we report epidemiological patterns and genetic characteristics of NoV after the appearance of GII.17 in Huzhou City, Zhejiang, China
Norovirus infections and clinical features Between January 2015 and December 2015, 746 stool specimens collected from patients with AGE were screened for NoV
Summary
Noroviruses (NoVs) are the most common cause of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in all age groups worldwide. The NoVs circulating in Huzhou over the past 7 years were predominantly GII. genotypes. In the winter of 2014–2015, a novel variant of NoV GII. emerged and became predominant. We report the epidemiological patterns and genetic characteristics of NoV after the appearance of GII. in Huzhou City, Zhejiang, China. Norovirus (NoV) is the most common cause of nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in all age groups worldwide [1]. NoV has been classified into six genogroups (I–VI) that are further subdivided into over 40 genotypes [5]. The sub-genogroup GII. virus accounts for most reported cases, and has been identified as the predominant genotype globally; new GII. variants emerge every 2–3 years [6, 7]
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