Norovirus molecular detection in Uruguayan sewage samples reveals a high genetic diversity and GII.4 variant replacement along time

Aims: To determine the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of norovirus (NoV) genogroup I (GI) and GII in Uruguay.

Methods and results: One hundred and sixteen sewage samples were collected in six cities (Bella Unión, Salto, Paysandú, Fray Bentos, Melo and Treinta y Tres) from March 2011 to April 2013, viruses were concentrated by ultracentrifugation and NoV studies were performed by semi-nested RT-PCR (partial capsid region). NoV were detected in samples from all the cities and detected in 72% (84/116) of the samples with nine of them belonging to GI, 48 to GII and 27 to both genogroups. Remarkably, a high genetic diversity was identified: GII.2 (n = 13), GII.4 (n = 13), GI.1 (n = 5), GI.4 (n = 5), GI.8 (n = 4), GII.13 (n = 4), GII.1 (n = 3), GII.6 (n = 3), GI.3 (n = 1), GI.5 (n = 1), GI.6 (n = 1), GII.3 (n = 1), GII.17 (n = 1). Interestingly, a complete replacement of GII.4 New Orleans 2009 by GII.4 Sydney 2012 variants during 2012 was evidenced.

Conclusion: This study reveals a high circulation of different NoV GI and GII genotypes in sewage evidencing a replacement of GII.4 variants.

Significance and impact of study: This approach can be used as an indicator of the presence of a new GII.4 variant which can originate an increase in acute gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide.