Genetic analyses of GII.17 norovirus strains in diarrheal disease outbreaks from December 2014 to March 2015 in Japan reveal a novel polymerase sequence and amino acid substitutions in the capsid region

Euro Surveill. 2015 Jul 2;20(26):21173. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2015.20.26.21173.

Abstract

A novel GII.P17-GII.17 variant norovirus emerged as a major cause of norovirus outbreaks from December 2014 to March 2015 in Japan. Named Hu/GII/JP/2014/GII.P17-GII.17, this variant has a newly identified GII.P17 type RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, while the capsid sequence displays amino acid substitutions around histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) binding sites. Several variants caused by mutations in the capsid region have previously been observed in the GII.4 genotype. Monitoring the GII.17 variant's geographical spread and evolution is important.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution / genetics*
  • Caliciviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Caliciviridae Infections / genetics*
  • Capsid Proteins / genetics
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Dysentery / epidemiology
  • Dysentery / genetics*
  • Feces / virology
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Norovirus / classification*
  • Norovirus / genetics*
  • Norovirus / isolation & purification
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • RNA, Viral
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase