title: Diverse sapovirus genotypes identified in children hospitalised with gastroenteritis in selected regions of South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sapoviruses (SaVs) are recognised as causative agents of gastroenteritis worldwide. However, data on the genetic diversity of this virus in Africa are lacking, particularly in the form of current long-term studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the genetic diversity of SaVs in children hospitalised with gastroenteritis in South Africa (SA).
  
  
  METHODS
  From April 2009 to December 2013, SaVs were characterised from stool specimens from children hospitalised with gastroenteritis in four provinces of SA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen different SaV genotypes were identified from the 221 strains that were characterised. Genogroup (G) IV predominated overall and was detected in 24% (53/221) of specimens. The other identified genotypes included six belonging to GI (GI.1-GI.3, GI.5, GI.6, and GI.7) and seven belonging to GII (GII.1-GII.7).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has provided the first comprehensive data on the genetic diversity of SaVs in a clinical setting in SA, contributing to the global knowledge of this virus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia, 0007 Pretoria, South Africa. Electronic address: tanyaymurray@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tanya Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia, 0007 Pretoria, South Africa; Centre for Enteric Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Private Bag X4, Sandringham, 2131 Johannesburg, South Africa. Electronic address: sandran@nicd.ac.za.
authors.forename: Sandrama
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nadan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Enteric Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Private Bag X4, Sandringham, 2131 Johannesburg, South Africa. Electronic address: nicolap@nicd.ac.za.
authors.forename: Nicola A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia, 0007 Pretoria, South Africa. Electronic address: maureen.taylor@up.ac.za.
authors.forename: Maureen B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000821:virology*; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny; D029341:Sapovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D036022:Capsid Proteins
keywords: Background; Genotyping; Molecular diversity; Paediatric; Sapovirus; South Africa