Association of histo-blood group antigens and susceptibility to norovirus infections.
BACKGROUND
Noroviruses (NoVs) are the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis in humans of all ages. Challenge studies that used the NoV prototype strain Norwalk virus (NV) have shown that some individuals are not susceptible to infection, suggesting the absence of a receptor. Recent studies have identified histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as possible receptors. Being a nonsecretor and presence of HBGA type B were associated with protection against infection with NV, a genogroup (GG) I NoV.


METHODS
In the present retrospective study, we investigated the association between presence of HBGAs and the risk of infection with another NoV belonging to GGI (Hu/NV/I/Birmingham/93/UK). The study was done as part of an investigation of a waterborne outbreak in a group of schoolchildren and of a cohort of healthy adults. The ABH histo-blood group phenotype was determined by use of saliva or serum samples from these individuals.


RESULTS
Presence of HBGA type B was significantly correlated with a lack of susceptibility to infection with GGI NoV and with an absence of antibodies. No correlation was found with GGII NoV. Although the infection rate in nonsecretors was lower, this difference was not statistically significant, and several children lacking HBGAs in saliva were found to be infected.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with the HBGA type B may be protected against infection with GGI (but not GGII) NoVs. The association between susceptibility to NoV infection and being a secretor may be restricted to GGI NoV.
Rockx
Barry H G
BH
Diagnostic Laboratory for Infectious Diseases and Perinatal Screening, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Vennema
Harry
H
Hoebe
Christian J P A
CJ
Duizer
Erwin
E
Koopmans
Marion P G
MP
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029322:Norovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D010641:Phenotype; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000914:Antibodies, Viral