Norovirus Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity in Leipzig, Germany during 2013-2017.

ABSTRACT: Globally and in all age groups, noroviruses are a main cause of gastroenteritis. To assess their local epidemiology and genetic diversity, stool samples of 7509 inpatients with gastrointestinal complaints from all age groups were analyzed. After detection of norovirus genogroup I and II RNA by real-time RT-PCR, viral capsids were genotyped by partial nucleic acid sequencing. In the case of GII.2 strains, polymerase genotypes were also assessed. Between October 2013 and September 2017, presence of norovirus RNA was shown in 611 samples (8.1%), of which 610 (99.8%) were typed successfully. Norovirus positivity rate was higher in patients aged below five years (14.8%) than in older patients (5.7%). Among the 611 norovirus positive samples, GII.4 (56.6%) strains prevailed, followed by GII.6 (1

SUBMITTER: Ennuschat N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8541062 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature