Norovirus GII.P16/GII.2–Associated Gastroenteritis, China, 2016

Abstract

During October–December 2016, the number of norovirus outbreaks in China increased sharply from the same period during the previous 4 years. We identified a recombinant norovirus strain, GII.P16-GII.2, as the cause of 44 (79%) of the 56 outbreaks, signaling that this strain could replace the predominant GII.4 viruses.

Characterization of Antigenic Relatedness between GII.4 and GII.17 Noroviruses by Use of Serum Samples from Norovirus-Infected Patients

“…These case study results suggest little heterologous protection among different norovirus genotypes, indicating that host herd immunity against the predominant GII.4 viruses played little role in the emergence of the new GII.17 variant. A similar case of sudden emergence of GII.2 viruses occurred in different countries during the 2016 to 2017 season (21)(22)(23).…”

Increased Detection of Emergent Recombinant Norovirus GII.P16-GII.2 Strains in Young Adults, Hong Kong, China, 2016–2017

“…However, unlike the recently emerged epidemic GII.17 Kawasaki variant that predominated only in part of Asia (China and Japan) during 2014–2016 ( 12 , 13 ), this new recombinant GII.P16-GII.2 variant also caused a steep rise in gastroenteritis cases in Asia ( 2 , 3 ) and Europe ( 4 , 5 ), indicating that it was geographically widespread across continents. We observed an increase in proportion, number, and incidence of hospitalized GII.2 case-patients in the 5–65-year age group.…”

“…In the winter of 2016–2017, increased circulation of an uncommon recombinant norovirus genotype called GII.P16-GII.2 was reported in parts of Asia, including China ( 2 ) and Japan ( 3 ). Concurrently, winter norovirus cases peaked at an abnormally high level in Germany ( 4 ) and France ( 5 ) because of this emergent genotype.…”

Characterization of a Norovirus‐specific monoclonal antibody that exhibits wide spectrum binding activities

“…In this study, we also successfully produced GI.7 and GII.2 NoV VLPs. The recent emergence of GII.17 and GII.2 NoVs as predominant strains circulating in several countries indicates that all NoV strains have the potential of becoming dominating strains, suggesting complex mechanisms of NoV transmission and pathogenesis . The GI.7 and GII.2 NoV VLPs produced could be used for the characterization of their HBGA binding patterns and preparation of mAbs with HBGA blocking activities which could facilitate our understanding of these viruses.…”

“…The recent emergence of GII.17 and GII.2 NoVs as predominant strains circulating in several countries indicates that all NoV strains have the potential of becoming dominating strains, suggesting complex mechanisms of NoV transmission and pathogenesis. [31][32][33] The GI.7 and GII.2 NoV VLPs produced could be used for the characterization of their HBGA binding patterns and preparation of mAbs with HBGA blocking activities which could facilitate our understanding of these viruses. The prepared GI.7 and GII.2 NoV VLPs were smaller in sizes than native virions and their use in immunization and screening mAbs may not warrant the applicability of finally produced mAb in the detection of field samples.…”