Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 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

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Genotype diversity and molecular evolution of noroviruses: A 30-year (1982-2011) comprehensive study with children

Jones Anderson Monteiro Siqueira1, Renato da Silva Bandeira2, Darleise de Souza Oliveira2

  • 1Laboratório de Norovírus e outros Vírus Gastroentéricos-LNVE, Seção de Virologia-SAVIR, Instituto Evandro Chagas-IEC, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil.

Plos One
|June 13, 2017
PubMed

Insights

A 30-year study in Brazil found diverse norovirus genotypes in children, revealing significant genetic variation and recombination. These findings are crucial for understanding norovirus epidemiology and developing effective vaccines.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Norovirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis globally.
  • Longitudinal studies are essential for understanding the molecular epidemiology and evolution of viral pathogens.
  • The Amazon region presents unique epidemiological contexts for infectious diseases.

Observation:

  • A 30-year study (1982-2011) analyzed 2,520 fecal samples from children in Belém, Brazil.
  • Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nucleotide sequencing identified norovirus genotypes.
  • An overall norovirus positivity rate of 16.9% was observed, with 49% of positive samples successfully genotyped.

Findings:

  • Multiple norovirus polymerase (GI.P4-GI.P22) and VP1 (GI.3-GI.23) genotypes were identified.
  • The GII.P4/GII.4 genotype was prevalent, with 10 distinct variants observed in the P2 region, including strains from the 1970s to 2009.
  • Recombination events were confirmed in 47.6% of samples with divergent genotyping, indicating complex viral evolution.

Implications:

  • The study highlights the extensive genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of noroviruses in the Amazon region over three decades.
  • Findings provide critical data for tracking norovirus spread and informing public health interventions.
  • Understanding viral evolution and genetic diversity is fundamental for the development of broadly protective norovirus vaccines.

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