Noroviruses associated with outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2004-2011.
J Clin Virol 2014;
61:345-52. [PMID:
25223919 DOI:
10.1016/j.jcv.2014.08.024]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Acute gastroenteritis norovirus (NoV) in a country of continental dimensions like Brazil has resulted in under-reporting of the number of outbreaks, as well as the genotypes associated.
OBJECTIVES
To demonstrate the role of NoV in outbreaks occurring in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, we determined its prevalence, as well as the genotypes associated, and evaluated clinical and epidemiological aspects.
STUDY DESIGN
NoV investigation was carried out in rotavirus group A negative stool samples from 2265 patients from 741 outbreaks that occurred in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, during a period of eight years (2004-2011). NoV detection and nucleotide sequencing for genotype characterization was carried by using sets of primers targeting a conservative Rd-Rp polymerase genome region and the viral capsid gene, respectively.
RESULTS
NoVs were detected in 817 stool samples (36.1%) and associated with 327 outbreaks (44.1%). NoV GII.2, GII.3, GII.4, GII.6, GII.12, GII.13, GII.14, GII.15, GII.17, GII.21; and GI.1 and GI.3 were characterized. GII.4 was the most frequently detected (72.3%), with five variants identified (Asia_2003, Hunter_2004, Yerseke_2006a, Den_Haag_2006b, New Orleans_2009). This study describes the first detection of GI.1 and GII.13 and GII.15 in Brazil and demonstrates NoV winter-spring seasonality in this region of the country.
CONCLUSIONS
NoVs were responsible for almost 50% of outbreaks, with about 70% of them resulting from genotype GII.4 and its variants. The seasonality observed could help health authorities to establish a system of active surveillance in order to reduce NoV impact especially in congregate settings.
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