Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 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

Genetic diversity and emergence of norovirus GII/4-2006b in Japan during 2006-2007

Shuvra Kanti Dey1, Tung Gia Phan, Masashi Mizuguchi

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

Clinical Laboratory
|April 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Norovirus (NoV) infections are a significant cause of acute gastroenteritis in young children. This study found NoV GII/4 2006b variants were predominant in Japanese pediatric cases during 2006-2007.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Noroviruses (NoV) are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children globally.
  • Understanding the epidemiology of NoV is crucial for developing effective prevention and control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Norovirus infections in pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis in Japan.
  • To identify the predominant Norovirus genotypes circulating in this population during the study period.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of 628 fecal specimens from infants and children with acute gastroenteritis across five Japanese locations (July 2006-June 2007).
  • Detection of Norovirus using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  • Molecular characterization of Norovirus strains through nucleotide and amino acid sequencing.

Main Results:

  • A total of 15.6% of specimens tested positive for Norovirus.
  • Norovirus GII was the predominant strain, accounting for 15.5% of cases.
  • Norovirus GII/4 2006b variants were the most prevalent genotype (89% of GII strains), with other genotypes including GII/3, GII/7, and GII/2.
  • Norovirus infections peaked during the winter season.

Conclusions:

  • Norovirus GII/4 2006b variants were the dominant cause of acute gastroenteritis in the Japanese pediatric population studied.
  • Norovirus continues to represent a significant disease burden in this demographic.
  • The findings highlight the importance of ongoing surveillance for Norovirus genotypes and seasonality.
Abstract

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