Molecular evolution of GII-4 Norovirus strains.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Human Noroviruses (NoV) are the major cause of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis and the leading cause of outbreaks of gastroenteritis worldwide. Genotype II-4 (GII-4) NoV has been shown to spread rapidly and is the most commonly detected strain worldwide, particularly in association with outbreaks. Previously, we have shown that circulating GII-4 NoV strains exist as populations of selectively neutral variants, and that the emergence of epidemic GII-4 NoV strains correlated with mutations in at least two key sites (Sites A and B) within the P2 domain of the surface exposed major capsid protein (VP1).

Methodology

We developed a rapid pyrosequencing method for screening of the two Sites A and B and a homology based modelling system was used to predict the effects

SUBMITTER: Zakikhany K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3406047 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature