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Quantifying Human Norovirus Virus-like Particles Binding to Commensal Bacteria Using Flow Cytometry
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INTRA- AND INTER-HOST EVOLUTION OF HUMAN NOROVIRUS IN HEALTHY ADULTS.
Sasirekha Ramani1, Sara J Javornik Cregeen1,2, Anil Surathu1,2
1Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|September 16, 2024
Summary
Human norovirus evolution in healthy adults shows individual-specific changes, not widespread conserved mutations. A new sequencing method successfully tracked virus genomes, revealing limited immune pressure on the GI.1 strain.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genomics
Background:
- Human noroviruses cause widespread acute gastroenteritis.
- Norovirus evolution in immunocompromised individuals is well-studied.
- Limited data exists on norovirus evolutionary dynamics in healthy adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intra- and inter-host evolution of human norovirus in healthy adults.
- To evaluate a novel capture-based sequencing approach for sensitive norovirus genome assembly.
Main Methods:
- Utilized sequential samples from a controlled human infection study with GI.1/Norwalk/US/68 virus.
- Employed a norovirus-specific capture probe method for sequencing up to 12 samples per participant.
- Assembled complete viral genomes from samples up to 28 days post-challenge.
Main Results:
- Complete norovirus genomes were assembled even from samples below standard detection limits.
- Individual-specific genomic changes were observed in the GI.1 virus across all participants.
- No conserved evolutionary changes were detected across the study cohort.
- Non-synonymous amino acid changes occurred in all viral proteins, notably in capsid VP1 and NS3.
Conclusions:
- A sensitive capture-based sequencing method enables high-yield human norovirus genome assembly.
- Limited conserved, immune pressure-driven evolution of GI.1 norovirus was observed in healthy adults.
- Findings contribute to understanding norovirus adaptation and host interactions in healthy populations.
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