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Updated: May 13, 2026

EPA Method 1615. Measurement of Enterovirus and Norovirus Occurrence in Water by Culture and RT-qPCR. Part III. Virus Detection by RT-qPCR
Published on: January 16, 2016
[Norovirus epidemic strain GII. 4 evolution--a review]
Qingping Wu1, Liang Xue, Jumei Zhang
1Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology (Ministry-Guangdong Province Jointly Breeding Base), South China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Guangzhou 510070, China. wuqp203@yahoo.com.cn
Noroviruses, a leading cause of global gastroenteritis, show high genetic diversity. The predominant GII.4 strain persists due to rapid evolution, receptor switching, and antigenic drift.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Noroviruses are the primary cause of epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide.
- The GII.4 genotype is the most prevalent human-infecting strain, exhibiting significant genetic diversity.
- Recent advancements include understanding virus-receptor interactions and immune specificities.
Purpose:
- To explore the evolutionary mechanisms driving norovirus persistence.
- To investigate the roles of receptor switching and antigenic drift in maintaining GII.4 strain prevalence.
- To understand how high mutation rates and genomic constraints influence norovirus evolution.
Summary:
- Noroviruses, particularly the GII.4 strain, are a major global health concern due to their rapid evolution and genetic diversity.
- Hypotheses suggest that receptor switching and antigenic drift are key factors in the sustained circulation of GII.4 in human populations.
- The inherent high mutation rate of RNA viruses and limited genomic variation also shape the evolutionary trajectory of noroviruses.
Impact:
- Provides insights into the evolutionary dynamics of noroviruses, aiding in the development of control strategies.
- Highlights the importance of understanding host-receptor interactions and immune responses for predicting viral evolution.
- Contributes to the broader field of viral evolution, particularly for RNA viruses with high mutation rates.
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Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Evolution of Microbial Genome
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Cholera
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