title: Seroepidemiology of predominant norovirus strains circulating in Korea by using recombinant virus-like particle antigens.
abstract: An epidemiological survey on human norovirus (NoV)-associated gastroenteritis was conducted to clarify the prevalence of NoV infections in children and adults in Korea. Recombinant capsid proteins from three major NoV genotypes (GI-4, GII-3, and GII-4) were expressed using a baculovirus expression system, and the morphology and antigenicity of self-assembled virus-like particles were then confirmed by electron microscopy and Western blotting with a NoV-specific antibody. To determine seroprevalence, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect antibodies against virus-like particles antigen in 346 serum specimens collected from persons who visited five public heath care centers for regular physical examination in Jeollanam-do, Korea, between 2005 and 2006. The seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G antibodies against the GI-4, GII-3, and GII-4 NoV genotypes was 84.1%, 76.3%, and 94.5%, respectively. A rapid decrease in seroprevalence occurred after birth, with the lowest levels observed in the <23-month age group, and a steep increase in seroprevalence occurred in early childhood, reaching 60.5% for GI-4, 65.1% for GII-3, and 90.7% for GII-4 at age 2-5 years, and over 80% for all three genotypes in subjects aged 20 years or older. The seroprevalence of different NoV genotypes statistically differed across the age groups (p<0.01).
authors.affiliation: Division of Vaccine Research, Center for Infectious Disease, Korea National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Osong, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hosun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Hye Sook
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Miyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Jungsoo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hoekyu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kibok
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Ah-Yong
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Sunyoung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Kyungjin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Doo-Sung
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Cheon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016367:Baculoviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D029322:Norovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins