Premium
Characterisation of norovirus strains in rural Ghanaian children with acute diarrhoea
Author(s) -
Armah George E.,
Gallimore Chris I.,
Binka Fred N.,
Asmah Richard H.,
Green Jonathan,
Ugoji Ucheoma,
Anto Francis,
Brown David W.G.,
Gray Jim J.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.20722
Subject(s) - norovirus , calicivirus , virology , genotype , caliciviridae , rotavirus , biology , incidence (geometry) , virus , gene , genetics , physics , optics
The incidence of calicivirus infection in Ghana and many other African countries is not known. Thirteen (15.9%) of the 82 diarrhoeic stool samples tested for caliciviruses were positive for noroviruses (NoVs). NoVs were present in all age groups and were detected only during the diarrhoea peak that coincided with the peak rotavirus season. Ten (76.9%) of the NoV detected were genogroup II (GII) NoVs and the remaining three (23.1%) genogroup I (GI) NoVs. The predominant GII detected was GII‐4 (60%, 6/10). Three of the GII NoVs were determined to be recombinants of GII‐8/GII‐14 as deduced from the sequencing of the region spanning the Orf1/2 junction. The GII genotypes formed four clusters with published GII sequences. The data shown enhances understanding of NoV diversity in Ghanaian children and demonstrate the global spread of distinct common genotypes to African countries. J. Med. Virol. 78:1480–1485, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.