title: Presence of antibodies against genogroup VI norovirus in humans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Noroviruses are important enteric pathogens in humans and animals. Recently, we reported a novel canine norovirus (CaNoV) in dogs with diarrhea belonging to a new genogroup (GVI). No data are available on exposure of humans to this virus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera from 373 small animal veterinarians and 120 age-matched population controls were tested for IgG antibodies to CaNoV by a recombinant virus like particle based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antibodies to CaNoV were found in 22.3% of the veterinarians and 5.8% of the control group (p < 0.001). Mean corrected OD450 values for CaNoV antibodies were significantly higher in small animal veterinarians compared to the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that CaNoV may infect humans and small animal veterinarians are at an increased risk for exposure to this virus. Additional studies are needed to assess if this virus is able to cause disease in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: João Rodrigo
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mesquita
authors.forename: Verónica P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Costantini
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.forename: Seh-ching
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Maria São José
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vinjé
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029322:Norovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D018634:Veterinarians; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G