Norovirus distribution within an estuarine environment.

ABSTRACT: Human norovirus (NoV) has been studied extensively as an important cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide. While oysters are a primary vehicle for infection, few studies have examined the wider distribution of NoV in the estuarine environment. Active shellfish-harvesting areas in Georgia were examined for the prevalence, genotype diversity, and concentrations of NoV in a variety of estuarine sample types over the course of 1 year. Of the 225 samples (9 oyster, 72 water, 72 63- to 200-microm plankton, and 72 >200-microm plankton) collected from 12 stations across two estuaries, 21 samples (9.3%) tested positive for NoV. By sample type, 55.0% (5/9) of oysters, 8.3% (6/72) of water samples, 11.1% (8/72) of 63- to 200-microm plankton samples, and 2.8% (2/72) of >200-microm plankton sampl

SUBMITTER: Gentry J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2737928 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature