Article ID: JJID.2015.440
A total of 1,141 rotavirus-negative stool specimens collected from diarrheic children in four distinct regions under sentinel surveillance in Thailand between 2006 and 2008 were examined by RT-PCR for norovirus (NoV) and sapovirus (SaV). Three hundred three specimens (26.6%) were positive for NoV, and 34 and 269 NoVs belonged to genogroup I (GI) and genogroup II (GII), respectively. Twelve specimens (1.1%) were positive for SaV. Mixed infections were found in 5 specimens; 3 contained both NoV GI and GII, and 2 both NoV GII and SaV. Regarding the monthly distribution of NoV and SaV, NoV GII was clustered between September and February, while NoV GI was detected mainly in June and July, and SaV was found in May, June and July. In addition, three outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis at two junior high schools in Phichit and Bangkok, and at a university in Phitsanulok, Thailand in 2006 were found to have been caused by NoV infection. Sequence analysis of some NoVs from sporadic cases and outbreaks showed that their genotypes were GII.4 and GII.6.
