Title |
Molecular epidemiology of norovirus in asymptomatic food handlers in Busan, Korea, and emergence of genotype GII.17 |
Author |
Hee Soo Koo1, Mi Ok Lee1, Pyeong Tae Ku1, Su Jeong Hwang1, Dong Ju Park1, and Hyung Suk Baik2* |
Address |
1Busan Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Health and Environment, Busan 46616, Republic of Korea, 2Department of Microbiology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea |
Bibliography |
Journal of Microbiology, 54(10),686-694, 2016,
|
DOI |
10.1007/s12275-016-6312-4
|
Key Words |
norovirus, food handler, asymptomatic, molecular genetics |
Abstract |
The molecular epidemiology of norovirus infections was studied
in food handlers without any symptoms from January
to December 2015 in Busan city, Korea. A total of 2,174 fecal
specimens from asymptomatic food handlers were analyzed,
and 2.3% (49/2,174) were norovirus-positive. Fourteen of 335
samples (4.2%) were positive in January; fifteen of 299 samples
(5.0%) in February, and seven of 189 samples (3.7%) in
December. However, norovirus was rarely detected in other
months. From sequencing analysis, 11 genotypes (five GI and
six GII genotypes) were detected. Among the 42 capid gene
sequences identified, 14 were from the GI genogroup, while
28 were from the GII genogroup. The most commonly detected
genotype was GII.17, comprising 15 (35.7%) of positive
samples. From January 2012 to December 2015, 5,138
samples were collected from gastroenteritis patients and outbreaks
in Busan. The most detected genotype in 2012, 2013,
and 2014 was GII.4 (121, 24, and 12 cases, respectively), but
in 2015, GII.17 (25 cases) was the most common. The GII.4
genotype was the major cause of acute gastroenteritis from
2012 to 2014, but the GII.17 genotype became the most prevalent
cause in 2015. Continued epidemiological surveillance
of GII.17 is needed, together with assessment of the
risk of norovirus infection. |