Epidemics of Norovirus GII.4 Variant in Outbreak Cases in Korea, 2004–2012

• Published in: Osong public health and research perspectives Vol. 6; no. 5; pp. 318 - 321
• Main Authors: Jung, Sunyoung, Jeong, Hyun Ju, Hwang, Bo-Mi, Yoo, Cheon-Kwon, Chung, Gyung Tae, Jeong, Hyesook, Kang, Yeon-Ho, Lee, Deog-Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Elsevier B.V 01.10.2015; Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 질병관리본부
• Subjects: Brief Report; epidemics; GII.4 variants; norovirus; 예방의학; GII.4 variants; norovirus; epidemics
• ISSN: 2210-9099; 2233-6052; 2233-6052
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phrp.2015.10.002

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.