Detection of genogroup IV noroviruses in environmental and clinical samples and partial sequencing through rapid amplification of cDNA ends

Abstract

Noroviruses (NoVs) give rise to clinically relevant gastroenteritis in all age groups and are widely distributed in both clinical and environmental settings. NoVs are classified into five genogroups (GI to GV), of which GI, GII and GIV infect humans. While data on the epidemiology of human NoVs GI and GII have been steadily increasing, very little information has been published on the spread of GIV in either the health care system or the environment, resulting in a lack of information about its clinical significance and pathogenesis. In order to investigate the distribution of GIV strains in the environment, we analyzed sewage samples collected from five treatment plants, by using newly designed nested RT-PCR assays. A collection of clinical stool samples, originating from pediatric patients with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, previously analyzed in our laboratory for the presence of NoV GI or GII, was also analyzed for the presence of GIV norovirus. Results of this work attest to the presence of GIV in both clinical and environmental contexts and underline the importance of routinely screening for this genogroup, along with GI and GII, in order to better understand its distribution, prevalence and role during epidemics, which is probably underestimated.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of human noroviruses and sapoviruses in Ethiopia

“…Although NoVs are a common cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, GIV NoV strains related to illness in humans are rarely reported [54,[91][92][93]. GIV strains have been commonly associated with infections in animals, including dogs, cats and lions [94,95].…”

Detection of Antibodies against Norovirus Genogroup GIV in Carnivores

“…These findings clearly indicate that domestic carnivores are susceptible to infection with NoV GIV. Human NoV GIV (Alphatron-like) has been identified only sporadically in human patients, although epidemiological studies based on the analysis of sewage and wastewater in Japan and Italy have unexpectedly revealed high prevalence rates, thus suggesting that these enteric pathogens are more common than was previously believed in human populations and the environment (8,9).…”

Complete Genome of the Human Norovirus GIV.1 Strain Lake Macquarie Virus

“…The genogroup II, genotype 4 (GII.4) viruses cause 62 to 80% of NoV outbreaks globally (2,10) and have been associated with five pandemics of acute gastroenteritis (3,10). In contrast, GIV.1 strains are rarely detected in outbreaks and are generally identified only in sporadic infections or environmental studies (4,6). Little is known about the origins of the GIV viruses, partly due to a lack of sequence data.…”