Next-generation whole genome sequencing identifies the direction of norovirus transmission in linked patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Noroviruses are a highly transmissible and major cause of nosocomial gastroenteritis resulting in bed and hospital-ward closures. Where hospital outbreaks are suspected, it is important to determine the routes of spread so that appropriate infection-control procedures can be implemented. To investigate a cluster of norovirus cases occurring in children undergoing bone marrow transplant, we undertook norovirus genome sequencing by next-generation methods. Detailed comparison of sequence data from 2 linked cases enabled us to identify the likely direction of spread.

Methods

Norovirus complementary DNA was amplified by overlapping polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from 13 stool samples from 5 diagnostic real-time PCR-positive patients. The amplicons were sequenced by R

SUBMITTER: Kundu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3703108 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature