title: Frequency and phylogeny of norovirus in diarrheic children in Istanbul, Turkey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Norovirus (NoV) is recognised as one of the most common causes of foodborne infections. Contaminated shellfish, food, water and hospitals are well documented sources of the virus.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  NoV in diarrheic children has not previously been investigated in Istanbul, Turkey, hence the aim of this study was to detect and investigate the frequency and phylogeny of human NoV genogroups I and II in children with acute gastroenteritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  238 stool samples were collected from diarrheic children from 2 hospitals (Cerrahpasa Medical School and Haseki) in Istanbul and analysed by ELISA, RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR using both SYBR Green and probe-based assays for human NoV. Primers targeting the RNA-polymerase gene were used for RT-PCR to allow DNA sequencing of Turkish NoV strains and phylogenetic analysis to be performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NoV GII was detected in 36 (15.1%) of 238 samples by SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR, 10.9% by a probe-based real-time RT-PCR and 10.5% by ELISA (Ridascreen). Genogroup II (GII) the Turkish NoVs clustered with including GII4 (72.2%), GII16 (5.5%), GIIb (16.7%) and GIIe (5.5%). Two variants of GII4 (GII4-2006b and GII4-2008), GII16 and recombinant noroviruses (GIIb and GIIe) were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows a high frequency and genetic diversity of NoV GII infections in children with acute gastroenteritis in Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Başkent University Hospital, Clinic of Child Health and Diseases, Altunizade, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Ozkul
authors: Bekir S
authors: BS
authors: Kocazeybek
authors: Nuri
authors: N
authors: Turan
authors: Gábor
authors: G
authors: Reuter
authors: Kamil
authors: K
authors: Bostan
authors: Aysun
authors: A
authors: Yilmaz
authors: Eda
authors: E
authors: Altan
authors: Gulsah
authors: G
authors: Uyunmaz
authors: Ali Riza
authors: AR
authors: Karaköse
authors: Karlo
authors: K
authors: Muratoglu
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Elevli
authors: Christopher R
authors: CR
authors: Helps
authors: Huseyin
authors: H
authors: Yilmaz