We determined the complete genome sequences of two sapovirus strains isolated in Thailand and Japan. One of these strains represented a novel, naturally occurring recombinant sapovirus. Evidence suggested the recombination site was at the polymerase-capsid junction within open reading frame one.

The duration of viral shedding in the patients from two outbreaks and four sporadic cases of norovirus (NoV) infections was investigated. The longest period of viral shedding into feces was for 173 days in an inpatient from one case of outbreak. The VP1 sequence from two long-term viral shedding cases in the outbreak revealed four synonymous and one non-synonymous mutations in one inpatient at 26 days from the onset of illness, and nine synonymous and two non-synonymous mutations and a deletion, 10 synonymous mutations and a deletion in other inpatient at 29 days and 54 days from the onset of illness, respectively. Ten of the 11 amino acid positions detected in these two inpatients were in the outermost P2 domain of the viral capsid protein, and mutations at positions 295, 297, and 394 were shared in the inpatients. Mutations in the P2 domain were in epitopes A and D or near epitopes A, C, and E, suggesting that the long-term carrier state of norovirus infection contributes to the generation of escape mutants by host immunoselection.

A total of 300 patients with nucleic acid test-confirmed rubella, mostly adults, were investigated to determine the clinical value of a rubella-specific IgM test using an EIA kit. IgM titers increased after rash onset, the median IgM titer being significantly higher 3 days post-onset than on previous days (P < 0.0001). Similarly, the IgMpositive rate at 3 days post-onset (61.5%) was significantly higher than on previous days (P < 0.0001). This IgM test against rubella at 3 days or more post-disease onset provides the clinically relevant information. K E Y W O R D S immunoglobulin M, laboratory diagnosis, nucleic acid test, rubella Abbreviations: EIA, enzyme immunoassay; NAT, nucleic acid test; RU, relative unit; WHO, World Health Organization. 32 |

No abstract

Recent entomological studies carried out in Sakai City, Osaka, Japan showed a high density of Culex pipiens complex. We performed PCR-based molecular identification of Cx. pipiens complex to show local distribution of the members of Cx. pipiens complex and variation of the species composition in Sakai City. CDC miniature suction traps without a lamp enhanced with 1 kg of dry ice were used to collect adult mosquitoes at 12 collection sites from April 2009 to March 2010. Among 1,591 Cx. pipiens complex collected in this study, 1,044 (65.6̮) were identified as Cx. p. pallens, 474 (29.8̮) were Cx. p. form molestus, 62 were hybrids between Cx. p. pallens and Cx. p. form molestus, and 3 were identified as Cx. quinquefasciatus.