Norovirus GII-4 causes a more severe gastroenteritis than other noroviruses in young children

J Infect Dis. 2011 May 15;203(10):1442-4. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jir039. Epub 2011 Mar 16.

Abstract

Norovirus (NoV) GII-4 has emerged as the predominant NoV genotype in outbreaks of gastroenteritis worldwide. We determined clinical features of NoV GII-4 associated acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in comparison with AGE associated with other NoV types in infants during seasons 2001 and 2002. During the prospective follow-up period, 128 primary infections of AGE due to NoV were identified in 405 infants; of these, GII-4 was found in 40 cases (31%). NoV GII-4 was associated with longer duration of diarrhea and vomiting than other NoV genotypes, suggesting greater virulence of NoV GII-4.

MeSH terms

  • Caliciviridae Infections / pathology
  • Caliciviridae Infections / virology*
  • Gastroenteritis / pathology
  • Gastroenteritis / virology*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Norovirus / classification*
  • Norovirus / genetics
  • Norovirus / pathogenicity
  • Seasons
  • Virulence