Changes in norovirus genotype diversity in gastroenteritis outbreaks in Alberta, Canada: 2012–2018

Abstract

Background The emergence of norovirus genotype GII.4 variants has been associated with gastroenteritis pandemics worldwide, prompting molecular surveillance for early detection of novel strains. In this study, we aimed to analyze the outbreak activity of norovirus and characterize the norovirus strains circulating in Alberta between July 2012 and February 2018. Methods Stool samples from gastroenteritis outbreaks in Alberta were tested for norovirus at the Provincial Laboratory for Public Health using a multiplex real time-RT PCR assay. The ORF1 and ORF2-genotypes of norovirus positive samples were assigned based on phylogenetic analyses of partial polymerase and capsid sequences, respectively. Results A total of 530 norovirus outbreaks were identified. During July 2012 and June 2017 there was a gradual decrease in the annual number of GII.4 outbreaks, however, outbreak numbers increased from June 2017–February 2018. Four novel strains emerged: GII.17 Kawasaki in July 2014–June 2015, GII.P16/GII.4 Sydney in July 2015–June 2016, GII.P16/GII.2 and GII.P4 New Orleans/GII.4 Sydney in July 2016–June 2017. GII.Pe/GII.4 Sydney was the single predominant strain responsible for the majority (over 50%) of all norovirus outbreaks up to June 2015. Between June 2017 and February 2018, GII.P16/GII.4 Sydney was the leading strain causing 63% of all norovirus outbreaks. Conclusions GII.4 stands as the predominant capsid genotype causing a large majority of the norovirus outbreaks in early 2018. An increase in genotype diversity was observed in the last years, characterized by a high circulation of non-GII.4 strains and GII.4 recombinants. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-019-3792-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Variation of human norovirus GII genotypes detected in Ibaraki, Japan, during 2012–2018

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that the GII virus was frequently detected compared with the GI virus from the NoV infection [28–31], which was consistent with our results. In contrast, both the GI and GII virus genomes were detected in environmental water at equivalent frequencies using real-time RT-PCR [32, 33] possibly due to the difference in stability between the GI and GII capsid proteins [34].…”

Norovirus Infections and Disease in Lower-Middle- and Low-Income Countries, 1997–2018

“…The genogroups are subdivided in >30 genotypes. The predominant strain causing both outbreaks and sporadic cases of gastroenteritis is GII.4 [7,8]. Novel variants of GII.4 emerge periodically, spread rapidly across the globe, and cause pandemics [9].…”

Emergence of a Novel Recombinant Norovirus GII.P16-GII.12 Strain Causing Gastroenteritis, Alberta, Canada

“…Multiple GII.4 viruses were associated with epidemics during the 2000s. Since 2010, a single variant, GII.4 Sydney, has been the predominant virus ( 2 – 5 ). A recombinant GII.P16-GII.4 Sydney strain emerged in July 2015 and caused 72% of the outbreaks in the winter of 2017–18 ( 2 ).…”

“…Since 2010, a single variant, GII.4 Sydney, has been the predominant virus ( 2 – 5 ). A recombinant GII.P16-GII.4 Sydney strain emerged in July 2015 and caused 72% of the outbreaks in the winter of 2017–18 ( 2 ). A small wave of activity with the Kawasaki GII.17 and GII.P16-GII.2 strains was seen during 2016–2017, but they did not predominate.…”