Higher Viral Load of Emerging Norovirus GII.P16-GII.2 than Pandemic GII.4 and Epidemic GII.17, Hong Kong, China

Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Jan;25(1):119-122. doi: 10.3201/eid2501.180395.

Abstract

We compared viral load of emerging recombinant norovirus GII.P16-GII.2 with those for pandemic GII.Pe-GII.4 and epidemic GII.P17-GII.17 genotypes among inpatients in Hong Kong. Viral load of GII.P16-GII.2 was higher than those for other genotypes in different age groups. GII.P16-GII.2 is as replication competent as the pandemic genotype, explaining its high transmissibility and widespread circulation.

Keywords: China; Hong Kong; emerging GII.P16-GII.2; epidemic GII.17; gastroenteritis; norovirus; pandemic GII.4; recombination; viral load; viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Caliciviridae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Caliciviridae Infections / virology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / virology
  • Female
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology*
  • Gastroenteritis / virology
  • Genotype
  • Hong Kong / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Norovirus / genetics*
  • Pandemics*
  • Viral Load
  • Young Adult