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Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR
Published on: July 22, 2012
Norovirus gastroenteritis among children in Iraqi Kurdistan
Manar Najim Al-Mashhadani1, Osamu Nakagomi, Winifred Dove
1University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Journal of Medical Virology
|January 22, 2008
Insights
Norovirus caused 30% of acute gastroenteritis hospitalizations in young children in Iraq. Genotype GII/4 was the most common strain identified, highlighting its prevalence in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Acute gastroenteritis is a significant cause of childhood hospitalization globally.
- Norovirus is a leading viral pathogen responsible for acute gastroenteritis outbreaks.
- Limited data exists on norovirus epidemiology in pediatric populations in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of norovirus among children under 5 hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Kurdistan, Iraq.
- To identify the circulating norovirus genogroups and genotypes.
- To understand the molecular epidemiology of norovirus in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- A total of 260 children under 5 years old hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis were enrolled.
- Stool samples were analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for norovirus detection.
- Sequencing was performed on detected norovirus strains to determine genotypes.
Main Results:
- Norovirus was detected in 78 (30%) of the 260 hospitalized children.
- Genogroup II (GII) was the predominant genogroup (74%), followed by Genogroup I (GI) (23%).
- The GII/4 genotype was the most frequently identified strain among the 28 sequenced noroviruses.
Conclusions:
- Norovirus is a significant contributor to acute gastroenteritis hospitalizations in young children in Kurdistan, Iraq.
- The findings underscore the epidemiological importance of norovirus, particularly the GII/4 genotype, in pediatric populations in the region.
- This data can inform public health strategies for prevention and control of viral gastroenteritis in children.
Abstract:
Of 260 children under age 5 years who were hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Kurdistan, Iraq, between April and May 2005, 78 (30%) tested positive for norovirus by RT-PCR. These comprised genogroups GI (23%), GII (74%) and GI + GII (3%). Among 28 noroviruses sequenced, GII/4 was the predominant genotype.
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