Molecular characterization of norovirus GII strains identified in Albania

Abstract

Noroviruses (NoVs) are considered as the leading cause of diarrheal diseases in all groups of age. In the last decade the number of NoV outbreaks worldwide is increasing. Data published by the systems of NoV surveillance show the GII.4 strain as the human predominant genotype circulating worldwide and new genetic variants of GII.4 were associated with epidemic events. In Albania the economy transformation has damaged significantly the environment and a large circulation of enteric viruses was reported in the past with the presence of NoV among the genotyped strains. This study aimed to characterize, by molecular analysis, the NoV GII strains detected in Albania during two time periods: in 2010 from the outbreak occurred in Ballsh and in 2002–2003 from sporadic cases of diarrhoea. A total of 21 Nov GII strains were characterized. The NoV GII.4 was genotyped more frequently and it was related closely to the pandemic variants recorded in GenBank. During 2002–2003, six NoV GII recombinant strains have been characterized

Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationship of Human Norovirus Sequences Derived from Municipalities within the Sverdlovsk Region of Russia

“…A smaller proportion of detected genotypes included GII.1, GII.2, GII.7, GI.2, GI.3, GI.4, and GI.6 [41]. Moreover, the study on HuNoVs' genetic diversity in Albania found that the GII.4 genotype is the prevailing genotype, with other reported viral strains belonging to the GII.2 and GII.3 genotypes [42]. This widespread dominance of GII.4 and its variants in various countries confirms that GII.4 is the most predominant genotype among noroviruses worldwide.…”