Abstract Title
Emergence of GII.3 as most prevalent norovirus strain among infants and children with acute gastroenteritis in Bangladesh
Presenter
Shuvra Kanti Dey, Jahangirnagar University
Co-Author(s)
Shuvra Kanti Dey, Abdullah Ibna Masud, Jannatin Naim, Evana Zaman Khan, Sazzad Khan, Fariha Bushra Khan, Nadim Sharif
Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh
Abstract Category
Molecular Epidemiology & Evolution
Abstract
Introduction: Viral gastroenteritis is one of the most common diseases in humans, and continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Noroviruses are recognized as the most significant etiological agent of acute gastroenteritis.
Aims: The aims of this study were to elucidate molecular characterization and virulence potential of human norovirus in Bangladesh within two years time; to investigate the genetic relationships among study strains, and to investigate the seasonal distribution and clinical symptoms associated with norovirus infection.
Methods: A total of 257 fecal samples were collected between January 2021 and December 2022 from children below 5 years old with acute gastroenteritis from different hospitals in Dhaka. All samples were analyzed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the presence of norovirus. PCR product of specific genes of noroviruses was selected for sequence analysis.
Results: RT-PCR of all the samples revealed the presence of 35 norovirus positive samples and 133 rotavirus positive sample. Genotypic characterization by sequencing methods revealed that GII.4 (80%) being the most common strain of norovirus in 2021 and GII.3 (45%), GII.4 (40%) being the most common strain type in 2022. Bangladeshi norovirus strains displayed highest similarity (98 -99%) to previously studied India, Taiwan, China and Japan strains. We found two peaks of norovirus infection in monsoon and in winter season. The most common clinical symptoms were dehydration (85%), vomiting (65%), abdominal pain (60%) and fever (55%).
Discussion: We found that the prevalence of norovirus infection is increasing among Bangladeshi pediatric patients. Changing pattern of genotype distribution is also alarming. This study provides information about the proportion and the genetic diversity of various norovirus strains in Bangladesh.
Aims: The aims of this study were to elucidate molecular characterization and virulence potential of human norovirus in Bangladesh within two years time; to investigate the genetic relationships among study strains, and to investigate the seasonal distribution and clinical symptoms associated with norovirus infection.
Methods: A total of 257 fecal samples were collected between January 2021 and December 2022 from children below 5 years old with acute gastroenteritis from different hospitals in Dhaka. All samples were analyzed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the presence of norovirus. PCR product of specific genes of noroviruses was selected for sequence analysis.
Results: RT-PCR of all the samples revealed the presence of 35 norovirus positive samples and 133 rotavirus positive sample. Genotypic characterization by sequencing methods revealed that GII.4 (80%) being the most common strain of norovirus in 2021 and GII.3 (45%), GII.4 (40%) being the most common strain type in 2022. Bangladeshi norovirus strains displayed highest similarity (98 -99%) to previously studied India, Taiwan, China and Japan strains. We found two peaks of norovirus infection in monsoon and in winter season. The most common clinical symptoms were dehydration (85%), vomiting (65%), abdominal pain (60%) and fever (55%).
Discussion: We found that the prevalence of norovirus infection is increasing among Bangladeshi pediatric patients. Changing pattern of genotype distribution is also alarming. This study provides information about the proportion and the genetic diversity of various norovirus strains in Bangladesh.