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Updated: Aug 28, 2025
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Quantifying Human Norovirus Virus-like Particles Binding to Commensal Bacteria Using Flow Cytometry
Published on: April 29, 2020
8.1K
Immune Imprinting Drives Human Norovirus Potential for Global Spread
Lisa C Lindesmith1, Florencia A T Boshier2, Paul D Brewer-Jensen1
1Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Mbio
|September 14, 2022
Summary
New human norovirus GII.4 variants are evolving undetected, with young children susceptible to novel strains. Population immunity, particularly in adults, influences norovirus variant replacement cycles and emergence potential.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Understanding human norovirus GII.4 variant evolution is crucial for predicting future outbreaks and developing effective vaccines.
- Hypothesized undetected GII.4 variants with key antigenic properties are circulating and driving future epidemics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel, antigenically divergent human norovirus GII.4 variants.
- To assess the susceptibility of different age groups to these emerging variants based on population immunity.
Main Methods:
- Large-scale sequencing of GII.4 surveillance samples to identify divergent variants.
- Serological characterization using temporally resolved adult and child sera.
- Antigenic cartography to map population immunity and variant relationships.
Main Results:
- Two highly divergent GII.4 variants were identified, with significant changes in antibody-binding domains.
- Adults with prior GII.4 exposure showed broad immunity, but young children were susceptible to the new variants.
- Population immunity, broadened by exposure to GII.4 Sydney 2012, compromised immunity to the infecting variant, allowing GII.4 persistence.
Conclusions:
- Norovirus GII.4 variant replacement is a cycle driven by viral evolution and population immunity, with young children acting as a susceptible reservoir.
- Broadened adult immunity to diverse GII.4 variants impacts the establishment of effective immunity and facilitates variant circulation.
- Pre-epidemic variants with novel antigenic features are evolving and may emerge when population immunity is modulated.
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