title: Outbreak of Norovirus GII.P17-GII.17 in the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia.
abstract: Background. Norovirus is the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis, with GII.4 being the most common circulating genotype. Recently, outbreaks in China revealed that norovirus GII.17 GII.P17 had become predominant. Objective. This study aimed to characterize the distribution of norovirus genotypes circulating in Nova Scotia. Methods. Stool specimens were collected from gastrointestinal outbreaks in Nova Scotia between Jan 2014 and June 2015 and subjected to real-time RT-PCR. Norovirus-positive specimens were referred to the National Microbiology Laboratory for sequence-based genotyping. Results. The first norovirus GII.P17-GII.17 outbreak in Canada was identified, but no widespread activity was observed in Nova Scotia. Discussion. It is unknown whether GII.P17-GII.17 is more widespread in Canada since contributions to Canadian surveillance are too sparse to effectively monitor the epidemiology of emerging norovirus genotypes. Conclusions. Presence of norovirus GII.17:P17 in Canada highlights the need for more systematic surveillance to ensure that molecular targets used for laboratory detection are effective and help understand norovirus evolution, epidemiology, and pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA), Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 1V8; Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4R2.
authors.forename: Jason J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: LeBlanc
authors.affiliation: Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA), Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 1V8; Provincial Public Health Laboratory Network of Nova Scotia (PPHLN), Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 1V8.
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pettipas
authors.affiliation: Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA), Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 1V8; Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4R2.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaston
authors.affiliation: Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA), Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 1V8; Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4R2.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA), Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 1V8; Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4R2.
authors.forename: Todd F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Hatchette
authors.affiliation: National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 3R2; University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2.
authors.forename: Tim F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.affiliation: National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 3R2.
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mandes
authors.affiliation: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McDermid
authors.affiliation: National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 3R2.
authors.forename: Elsie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grudeski