Understanding Pediatric Norovirus Epidemiology: A Decade of Study among Ghanaian Children

Viruses

Christabel Enweronu-Laryea¹  Joseph Armachie²  GeorgeE. Armah²  FrancisE. Dennis²  ChantalA. Agbemabiese²  SusanA. Damanka²  Osbourne Quaye³  BelindaL. Lartey³ 

[1] Department of Child Health, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana, Accra 00233, Ghana;Department of Electron Microscopy and Histopathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra 00233, Ghana;West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Accra 00233, Ghana;

关键词: norovirus;    gastroenteritis;    onestep RT-PCR;    genogroups;    genotypes;    Ghana;   

DOI  :  10.3390/v12111321

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Understanding the epidemiology of human norovirus infection in children within Ghana and the entire sub-Saharan African region, where future norovirus vaccines would have the greatest impact, is essential. We analyzed 1337 diarrheic stool samples collected from children <5 years from January 2008 to December 2017 and found 485 (36.2%) shedding the virus. GII.4 (54.1%), GII.3 (7.7%), GII.6 (5.3%), GII.17 (4.7%), and GII.5 (4.7%) were the most common norovirus genotypes. Although norovirus GII.4 remained the predominant capsid genotype throughout the study period, an increase in GII.6 and GII.3 capsid genotypes was observed in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The severity of clinical illness in children infected with GII.4 norovirus strains was similar to illness caused by non-GII.4 strains. Since the epidemiology of norovirus changes rapidly, establishment of systematic surveillance within sentinel sites across the country would enhance the monitoring of circulating norovirus strains and allow continuous understanding of norovirus infection in Ghana.

【 授权许可】

Unknown