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Publication Abstract from PubMed

Background: During 2016-2017, the previously rare GII.P16-GII.2 norovirus suddenly emerged as the predominant genotype causing gastroenteritis outbreaks in China and other countries. Its origin, phylodynamics, and mechanism behind the predominance remain unclear. Methods: Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were performed on 180 full capsid and 150 polymerase sequences of 2016-2017 GII.P16-GII.2 noroviruses in China, and those for all publicly available GII.P16 and GII.2 sequences. Saliva-based histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) binding assays and crystal structural analysis were conducted by using the P proteins of 2016-2017 GII.P16-GII.2 noroviruses. Results: The reemerging GII.P16-GII.2 norovirus showed a rapid genetic diversification after its emergence in 2012-2013. The antigenicity and HBGA binding profile of the early 2016-2017 and pre-2016 GII.2 noroviruses were similar. A further variant with a single Val256Ile mutation and the conventionally orientated Asp382 in the VP1 protein showed an expanded HBGA-binding spectrum. Mutations on the surface of polymerase that could alter its function were seen, which may help to accelerate the VP1 gene evolution to 5.5 x 10-3 substitutions per site per year. This virus can be traced back to Pearl River Delta, China. Conclusions: Our findings provide new insights into GII.2 norovirus epidemics and highlight the necessity of enhanced global surveillance for potential epidemics of rare-genotype noroviruses.

Genetic Analysis of Reemerging GII.P16-GII.2 Noroviruses in 2016-2017 in China.,Ao Y, Cong X, Jin M, Sun X, Wei X, Wang J, Zhang Q, Song J, Yu J, Cui J, Qi J, Tan M, Duan Z J Infect Dis. 2018 Jun 5;218(1):133-143. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiy182. PMID:29617875^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.