title: Epidemics of Norovirus GII.4 Variant in Outbreak Cases in Korea, 2004-2012.
abstract: Norovirus GII.4 is recognized as a worldwide cause of nonbacterial outbreaks. In particular, the GII.4 variant occurs every 2-3 years according to antigenic variation. The aim of our study was to identify GII.4 variants in outbreaks in Korea during 2004-2012. Partial VP1 sequence of norovirus GII.4-related outbreaks during 2004-2012 was analyzed. The partial VP1 sequence was detected with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, seminested polymerase chain reaction, and nucleotide sequence of 312-314 base pairs for phylogenetic comparison. Nine variants emerged in outbreaks, with the Sydney variant showing predominance recently. This predominance may persist for at least 3 years, although new variants may appear in Korea.
authors.affiliation: Division of Enteric Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Korea.
authors.forename: Sunyoung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Division of Enteric Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Division of Enteric Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Korea.
authors.forename: Bo-Mi
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Division of Enteric Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Korea.
authors.forename: Cheon-Kwon
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Division of Enteric Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Korea.
authors.forename: Gyung Tae
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Division of Vaccine Research, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyesook
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Division of Bio-Safety Evaluation and Control, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Korea.
authors.forename: Yeon-Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Division of Enteric Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Korea.
authors.forename: Deog-Yong
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: GII.4 variants; epidemics; norovirus