Rapid emergence and predominance of a broadly recognizing and fast-evolving norovirus GII.17 variant in late 2014

Martin C. W. Chan, Nelson Lee, Tin-Nok Hung, Kirsty Kwok, Kelton Cheung, Edith K. Y. Tin, Raymond W. M. Lai, E. Anthony S. Nelson, Ting F. Leung and Paul K. S. Chan ()
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Martin C. W. Chan: Faculty of Medicine, 1/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Nelson Lee: Faculty of Medicine, 9/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Tin-Nok Hung: Faculty of Medicine, 1/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Kirsty Kwok: Faculty of Medicine, 1/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Kelton Cheung: Faculty of Medicine, 1/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Edith K. Y. Tin: Faculty of Medicine, 1/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Raymond W. M. Lai: Faculty of Medicine, 1/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong
E. Anthony S. Nelson: Faculty of Medicine, 6/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Ting F. Leung: Faculty of Medicine, 6/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Paul K. S. Chan: Faculty of Medicine, 1/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Norovirus genogroup II genotype 4 (GII.4) has been the predominant cause of viral gastroenteritis since 1996. Here we show that during the winter of 2014–2015, an emergent variant of a previously rare norovirus GII.17 genotype, Kawasaki 2014, predominated in Hong Kong and outcompeted contemporary GII.4 Sydney 2012 in hospitalized cases. GII.17 cases were significantly older than GII.4 cases. Root-to-tip and Bayesian BEAST analyses estimate GII.17 viral protein 1 (VP1) evolves one order of magnitude faster than GII.4 VP1. Residue substitutions and insertion occur in four of five inferred antigenic epitopes, suggesting immune evasion. Sequential GII.4-GII.17 infections are noted, implicating a lack of cross-protection. Virus bound to saliva of secretor histo-blood groups A, B and O, indicating broad susceptibility. This fast-evolving, broadly recognizing and probably immune-escaped emergent GII.17 variant causes severe gastroenteritis and hospitalization across all age groups, including populations who were previously less vulnerable to GII.4 variants; therefore, the global spread of GII.17 Kawasaki 2014 needs to be monitored.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10061

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