Molecular epidemiology of norovirus in asymptomatic food handlers in Busan, Korea, and emergence of genotype GII.17.
The molecular epidemiology of norovirus infections was studied in food handlers without any symptoms from January to December 2015 in Busan city, Korea. A total of 2,174 fecal specimens from asymptomatic food handlers were analyzed, and 2.3% (49/2,174) were norovirus-positive. Fourteen of 335 samples (4.2%) were positive in January; fifteen of 299 samples (5.0%) in February, and seven of 189 samples (3.7%) in December. However, norovirus was rarely detected in other months. From sequencing analysis, 11 genotypes (five GI and six GII genotypes) were detected. Among the 42 capid gene sequences identified, 14 were from the GI genogroup, while 28 were from the GII genogroup. The most commonly detected genotype was GII.17, comprising 15 (35.7%) of positive samples. From January 2012 to December 2015, 5,138 samples were collected from gastroenteritis patients and outbreaks in Busan. The most detected genotype in 2012, 2013, and 2014 was GII.4 (121, 24, and 12 cases, respectively), but in 2015, GII.17 (25 cases) was the most common. The GII.4 genotype was the major cause of acute gastroenteritis from 2012 to 2014, but the GII.17 genotype became the most prevalent cause in 2015. Continued epidemiological surveillance of GII.17 is needed, together with assessment of the risk of norovirus infection.
Busan Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Health and Environment, Busan, 46616, Republic of Korea.
Hee Soo
HS
Koo
Busan Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Health and Environment, Busan, 46616, Republic of Korea.
Mi Ok
MO
Lee
Busan Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Health and Environment, Busan, 46616, Republic of Korea.
Pyeong Tae
PT
Ku
Busan Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Health and Environment, Busan, 46616, Republic of Korea.
Su Jeong
SJ
Hwang
Busan Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Health and Environment, Busan, 46616, Republic of Korea.
Dong Ju
DJ
Park
Department of Microbiology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea. hsubaik@pusan.ac.kr.
Hyung Suk
HS
Baik
D058345:Asymptomatic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D029322:Norovirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D012367:RNA, Viral
asymptomatic; food handler; molecular genetics; norovirus
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