Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR
15:16

Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR

Published on: July 22, 2012

Multiple recombinant noroviruses in Japan

Tung Gia Phan1, Shuichi Nishimura, Kumiko Sugita

  • 1Department of Developmental Medical Sciences, Institute of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Clinical Laboratory
|February 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Norovirus infections affected 10.1% of Japanese children with acute gastroenteritis. Genotype GII/3 was most common, with new recombinant strains emerging as leading causes.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Acute gastroenteritis is a significant health concern in pediatric populations worldwide.
  • Noroviruses are a leading cause of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks.
  • Understanding norovirus epidemiology, including prevalent genotypes and emergence of new strains, is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of noroviruses in sporadic pediatric acute gastroenteritis cases in Japan.
  • To identify the predominant norovirus genotypes and analyze the origins and emergence of recombinant strains.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of 417 fecal specimens from pediatric acute gastroenteritis cases in Japan (2005-2006).
  • Detection of noroviruses using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  • Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis of detected norovirus strains.

Main Results:

  • Noroviruses were detected in 10.1% (44/417) of the tested fecal specimens.
  • Genotype GII/3 was the most predominant (56.8%), followed by GII/4 (34%).
  • Phylogenetic analysis revealed the emergence of multiple recombinant noroviruses, introduced from four continents, with "new variant" strains becoming the leading cause for the first time in Japan.

Conclusions:

  • Noroviruses are a significant cause of acute gastroenteritis in Japanese children.
  • The study highlights the emergence and co-circulation of multiple recombinant norovirus strains in Japan, indicating global introductions.
  • Continuous molecular surveillance is essential to track the evolution and spread of norovirus variants.

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