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Updated: Apr 27, 2026
Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR
Published on: July 22, 2012
[Surveillance of norovirus-associated diarrhea in children in Shanghai, 2009-2011]
Weilei Yao1, Jiehao Cai1, Xiangshi Wang1
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China.
Insights
Norovirus is a common cause of diarrhea in Shanghai children, particularly those under four. The GII.4-2006b variant predominated between 2009-2011, though a new GII.4-2010 variant emerged.
Area of Science:
- Viral gastroenteritis
- Molecular epidemiology
- Public health surveillance
Context:
- Norovirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis globally.
- Diarrheal diseases pose a significant public health burden in children.
- Understanding local norovirus epidemiology is crucial for control strategies.
Purpose:
- To monitor norovirus infection rates and genotypes in diarrheal children in Shanghai from 2009 to 2011.
- To identify the predominant norovirus genogroups and genotypes circulating during the study period.
- To investigate age-specific norovirus prevalence and potential recombinant strains.
Summary:
- A real-time RT-PCR study of 2,288 children in Shanghai found a 23.1% norovirus prevalence.
- Genogroup GII was dominant (98.3%), with GII.4 (64.4%) being the most common capsid genotype, including GII.4-2006b and emerging GII.4-2010 variants.
- Young children (<4 years) were most affected, and potential norovirus recombinants were identified.
Impact:
- Provides critical epidemiological data on norovirus in Shanghai children.
- Highlights the susceptibility of young children to norovirus infection.
- Informs public health interventions and vaccine development efforts for norovirus prevention.
Objective:
To monitor the epidemiology of norovirus infection in diarrheal children in Shanghai between 2009 and 2011 and characterize the genotypes of norovirus strains.
Method:
The stool samples were collected from children visiting outpatient clinic for acute non-dysenteric diarrhea between 2009 and 2011.One step real-time RT-PCR was used for screening norovirus genogroups GI and GII. The genotypes of norovirus genogroup GII were classified based on the nucleotide sequences of both partial capsid and polymerase fragments.
Result:
A total of 2 288 outpatient children with acute diarrhea were included in this study, out of whom, 531 (23.1%) were positive for norovirus in the fecal specimens based on real-time RT-PCR test.Norovirus was prevalent throughout the year and an increased activity of norovirus infection was usually observed between July and October. Children <4 years of age accounted for 95.2% of norovirus-infected cases, and the detection rate of norovirus was significantly higher in diarrheal children <4 years than in those ≥ 4 years (24.4% vs. 10.7%,χ(2) = 10.66, P < 0.05).Of 531 norovirus-positive specimens, 4 (1.7%) were positive for genogroup GI and 527 (98.3%) positive for genogroup GII. Seven distinct capsid genotypes were identified in 234 norovirus strains, including 153 (64.4%) GII.4 (9 belonging to 2010 variants and 145 belonging to 2006b variants), 66 (27.6%) GII.3, 7 (2.9%) GII.2, 6 (2.5%) GII.6, 4 (1.7%) GII.12, 1 (0.4%) GII.7 and GII.14 in each. Seven polymerase genotypes were identified in 244 norovirus strains, including 189 (77.5%) GII.4 (14 belonging to 2010 variants and 175 belonging to 2006b variants), 47 (19.3%) GII.12, 2 (0.8%) GII.16, GII.b and GII.g in each, 1 (0.4%) GII.2 and GII.6 in each. A new GII.4-2010 (New Orleans) variant was first detected in June 2010 and sporadically circulated afterwards.Of 198 norovirus strains in which both polymerase and capsid genotypes were determined, 56 showed discordant results, indicating potential norovirus recombinants. The common discordant combinations of the polymerase and capsid genotypes were GII.12/GII.3 (69.6%) and GII.4/GII.3 (8.9%).
Conclusion:
Norovirus is a common causative agent responsible for diarrhea in Shanghai children over the three years and norovirus-associated diarrhea was epidemic year round with high activity in late summer and autumn in Shanghai.Infants and young children are susceptible to norovirus infection. The circulating norovirus showed genetic diversity. The GII.4-2006b variant continued to predominate in Shanghai during the period of 2009-2011 despite the emergence of the novel GII.4-2010 (New Orleans) variant.
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