Characterization of Norwalk‐like virus associated with gastroenteritis in Indonesia*

Abstract

Norwalk Virus and Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs) are reportedly responsible for 2.5-4.0% of nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis (NBAG) worldwide. To help clarify the impact of NLVs on NBAG in Indonesia, stool specimens from 102 patients, 74 with NBAG and 28 with BAG, were screened for the presence of NLVs, using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. The specimens were subtyped using prototype-specific oligonucleotide probes and were sequenced and compared with published NLV sequences. Of the 102 specimens examined, 31 (30%) were found to be positive for NLVs. Type-specific probe analysis of the RT-PCR products indicated that 31 isolates hybridized to UK1 (Taunton agent) and UK3/4 (Hawaii agent/Snow Mountain agent) prototype strains. The results of this study indicate that prototype strains of NV or NLVs co-circulate in Indonesia and contribute to the overall level of acute gastroenteritis throughout the region.

Molecular Identification and Genetic Analysis of Norovirus Genogroups I and II in Water Environments: Comparative Analysis of Different Reverse Transcription-PCR Assays

“…Despite the small number of clinical samples analyzed in this work, these data confirm NoVs as important causative agents of pediatric gastroenteritis and underline the importance of NoV GII strains as the main cause of the majority of sporadic cases of infantile gastroenteritis. Moreover, this result is in agreement with previous reports of a higher prevalence of GII than of GI strains in outbreaks, as well as studies of sporadic gastroenteritis (5,11,12,13,22,32,36,49,52).…”

“…It is interesting that despite the broad diffusion of both GI and GII NoVs in sewage samples, human diseases are mainly caused by GII strains (5,12,13,22,32,36,49,52). The reason for this is unknown, although differences in biological properties such as virulence, routes of transmission, or stability of the virus in the environment are possible explanations (7).…”

Hospitalization due to norovirus and genotypes of rotavirus in pediatric patients, state of Espírito Santo

“…The high prevalence of NoV reported here, contrasts with other reports elsewhere dealing with sporadic cases in hospitalized children, which vary from 5.4% to 30% in pediatric patients (Subekti et al 2002, Oh et al 2003, Hansman et al 2004). Nevertheless, prevalence as high as 48.4% and 53% have also been related (Kirkwood & Bishop 2001, Colomba et al 2007).…”

Genetic Diversity of Norovirus among Children with Gastroenteritis in São Paulo State, Brazil

“…The predominance of NoVs GII strains detected in the present study is in agreement with previous reports of a higher prevalence of GII strains over GI in outbreaks, as well as studies on sporadic gastroenteritis (3,4,8,9,11,20,23,24,25,26,33,35). The reason for this is unknown, although differences in biological properties, such as virulence, routes of transmission, or stability of the virus in the environment, are possible explanations (4).…”