Full-genome sequences of GII.13[P21] recombinant norovirus strains from an outbreak in Changsha, China

Arch Virol. 2020 Jul;165(7):1647-1652. doi: 10.1007/s00705-020-04643-1. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Abstract

On 31 March 2019, 68 school students suffered from vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain after participating in a group activity at a commercial park. In this outbreak, multiple norovirus genotypes were observed, including GII.2[P16], GII.17[P17], and GII.13[P21]. Further, we determined the full-genome sequences of two strains of GII.13[P21] recombinant noroviruses, which were 7434 nt long. Phylogenetic analysis based on open reading frames (ORFs) 1 and 2 revealed that these recombinants were related to stains of different genotypes from different countries. The full genome nucleotide sequences of the two isolates were 97.0% and 98.0% identical to those of strains from London and Thailand, respectively. Simplot analysis revealed the presence of a break point at nt 5059 in the ORF1 region. The histo-blood group antigen binding sites were conserved in both recombinant viruses. Our findings not only provide valuable genetic information about a recombinant norovirus but also contribute to our general understanding of the evolution, genetic diversity, and distribution of noroviruses.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Caliciviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Caliciviridae Infections / virology*
  • Child
  • China / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Female
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology
  • Gastroenteritis / virology
  • Genome, Viral*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Norovirus / classification
  • Norovirus / genetics*
  • Norovirus / isolation & purification
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Phylogeny