Emergence of a novel GII.17 norovirus – End of the GII.4 era?

Abstract

In the winter of 2014/15 a novel GII.P17-GII.17 norovirus strain (GII.17 Kawasaki 2014) emerged, as a major cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks in China and Japan. Since their emergence these novel GII.P17-GII.17 viruses have replaced the previously dominant GII.4 genotype Sydney 2012 variant in some areas in Asia but were only detected in a limited number of cases on other continents. This perspective provides an overview of the available information on GII.17 viruses in order to gain insight in the viral and host characteristics of this norovirus genotype. We further discuss the emergence of this novel GII.P17-GII.17 norovirus in context of current knowledge on the epidemiology of noroviruses. It remains to be seen if the currently dominant norovirus strain GII.4 Sydney 2012 will be replaced in other parts of the world. Nevertheless, the public health community and surveillance systems need to be prepared in case of a potential increase of norovirus activity in the next seasons caused by this novel GII.P17-GII.17 norovirus

Prevalence of Human Norovirus by Genotype in Contaminated Groundwater in Korea Over the Last Decade (2007-2016)

“…According to global trends, it was expected that HuNoV GII.17 would be detected more consistently than GII.4 in Korea. While HuNoV GII.17 was detected during 2013−2014, similar to the results for China, the US and Europe, HuNoV GII.4 was detected in 2015 [13][14][15][16][17], and was also detected along with HuNoV GII.17 in 2016 (Table 2 and Fig. 2).…”

“…A recent report described the emergence of GII.17, suggesting the possibility of latent activity [17]. In Korea, HuNoV GII.4 was detected most frequently during 2007−2009, with the rate showing a decrease in 2010 in contrast with increased rates of infection by the GI.5, GII.6, and GII.17 genotypes.…”

Detection of Enteric Viruses in Fecal Specimens from Nonbacterial Foodborne Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Tokyo, Japan between 1966 and 1983

“…2A) (17,38). NoV GII.17 strains detected in this study were classified as NA based on partial sequences of the RdRp region ( Fig.…”

“…Since the mid-1990s, NoV GII.4 has been the major cause of NoV-related gastroenteritis outbreaks (16). However, a new variant of NoV GII.17 was frequently detected in the 2014/2015 winter season (17). We investigated the prevalence of NoV, SaV, RV, AstV, and AdV in archived specimens collected from outbreaks of nonbacterial foodborne gastroenteritis in Tokyo, Japan between 1966 and 1983, prior to the introduction of viral testing.…”

Norovirus, the Next Target for Vaccine Development in China

“…Genotyping of the sym- (winter) [37] and it remains to be seen if the currently dominant NoV strain GII.4 Sydney 2012 will be replaced in other parts of the world [38] . It is crucial for the vaccine development and evaluation, because A virus [39] .…”