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Genetic diversity among sapoviruses.
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. Tibor.Farkas@cchmc.org
Archives of Virology
|June 29, 2004
Summary
This study reveals significant genetic diversity within sapoviruses (SAP), identifying potential new clusters and genogroups. These findings enhance our understanding of SAP classification and epidemiology.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Norovirus and Sapovirus cause acute gastroenteritis.
- Noroviruses are genetically diverse, but Sapovirus diversity is less understood.
- Characterizing Sapovirus genetic diversity is crucial for understanding its epidemiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To genetically characterize 25 Sapovirus strains from human gastroenteritis outbreaks and cases.
- To investigate the genetic diversity of Sapovirus using RNA polymerase and capsid gene sequences.
- To propose an updated classification of Sapovirus based on genetic analysis.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of partial RNA polymerase and capsid genes from 25 Sapovirus strains.
- Phylogenetic and distance analyses to group strains and identify genetic relationships.
- Comparison of sequences with existing GenBank data.
Main Results:
- The 25 Sapovirus strains grouped into 12 genetic clusters based on RNA polymerase sequences, with 9 potential new clusters identified.
- Capsid gene analysis supported the grouping and revealed four strains with <84% amino acid identity to known sequences.
- Phylogenetic analysis indicated two new genogroups and two new clusters within an existing genogroup, suggesting a revised classification.
Conclusions:
- Sapoviruses exhibit significant genetic diversity, necessitating further research.
- The study proposes a classification of Sapoviruses into nine genetic clusters within five genogroups.
- This revised classification includes porcine enteric calicivirus (PEC) and aids in understanding Sapovirus evolution and epidemiology.