Genetic diversity of norovirus genogroup I, II, IV and sapovirus in environmental water in Thailand

Pattara Khamrin; Kattareeya Kumthip; Aksara Thongprachum; Sirinart Sirilert; Rungnapa Malasao; Shoko Okitsu; Satoshi Hayakawa; Hiroshi Ushijima; Niwat Maneekarn

doi:10.1016/j.jiph.2020.05.004

Genetic diversity of norovirus genogroup I, II, IV and sapovirus in environmental water in Thailand

J Infect Public Health. 2020 Oct;13(10):1481-1489. doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.05.004. Epub 2020 May 31.

Authors

Pattara Khamrin¹, Kattareeya Kumthip¹, Aksara Thongprachum², Sirinart Sirilert³, Rungnapa Malasao⁴, Shoko Okitsu⁵, Satoshi Hayakawa⁶, Hiroshi Ushijima⁵, Niwat Maneekarn⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Emerging and Re-emerging Diarrheal Viruses, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
² Center of Excellence in Emerging and Re-emerging Diarrheal Viruses, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
³ Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
⁴ Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
⁵ Department of Developmental Medical Sciences, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1130033, Japan; Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1738610, Japan.
⁶ Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1738610, Japan.
⁷ Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Emerging and Re-emerging Diarrheal Viruses, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Electronic address: niwat.m@cmu.ac.th.

PMID: 32493670
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.05.004

Abstract

Background: Enteric caliciviruses, including noroviruses (NoVs) and sapoviruses (SaVs) are the most significant pathogens associated with waterborne and foodborne outbreaks of nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis in humans worldwide.

Methods: In this study, 126 environmental water samples collected from 6 different sources in Chiang Mai, Thailand from November 2016 to July 2018 were examined for the presence of genogroups I, II, IV (GI, GII, GIV) NoVs and SaVs by using RT-nested PCR assays, genome sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis, RESULTS: Forty out of 126 (31.7%) water samples were positive for one or more caliciviruses throughout the years of study with high prevalence in winter. Among 126 tested specimens, 34 (27.0%), 30 (23.8%), 3 (2.4%), and 2 (1.6%) were positive for NoV GI, GII, GIV, and SaV, respectively. For NoV GI, 6 different genotypes were identified with the most predominant of GI.1 genotype (17 strains). In addition, 6 different genotypes of GII were detected with high prevalence of GII.17 (12 strains) and GII.2 (11 strains). It was interesting to note that our study reported the detection of NoV GIV for the first time in water samples in Thailand, and all were GIV.1 genotype. For SaV detection, only 2 water samples were positive for SaV GI.

Conclusions: The data revealed heterogeneity and highly dynamic distribution of NoV GI, GII, GIV, and SaV in environmental water in Chiang Mai, Thailand, during the study period of 2016-2018.

Keywords: Environmental water; Norovirus; Sapovirus; Thailand.

MeSH terms

Caliciviridae Infections* / epidemiology
Genetic Variation
Genotype
Humans
Norovirus* / genetics
Phylogeny
Sapovirus* / genetics
Thailand / epidemiology
Water

Substances

Water