Epidemiologic and Genotypic Distribution of Noroviruses Among Children With Acute Diarrhea and Healthy Controls in a Low-income Rural Setting.

BACKGROUND

Noroviruses are the most common cause of epidemic and endemic acute gastroenteritis (AGE) worldwide. The burden of norovirus disease in low-income settings is poorly understood.

METHODS

We tested stool samples from children less than 5 years of age with diarrhea who were admitted in a rural hospital in Bangladesh from 2010-2012 and from matched, healthy controls from the same catchment area.

RESULTS

Norovirus was detected in 109 (18%) of 613 children with diarrhea and in 30 (15%) of 206 healthy controls. Most (n = 118; 85%) norovirus infections belonged to genogroup II (GII). Of these, GII.4 viruses were identified in 36 (33%) of the cases and in 6 (21%) of the controls. Other major genotypes included GII.3 (13%), GII.6 (11%), and GII.13 (11%) in the cases and GII.6 (17%) and GII.2 (14%) in the controls. The greatest risk of severe norovirus disease (Vesikari score ≥11) was associated with GII.4 infections. GII.4 viruses were the predominant genotype detected during the winter (55%) and rainy season (23%), while GII.3 (19%) and GII.13 (19%) viruses were the most prevalent genotypes during the summer. Vomiting was significantly associated with GII.4 infections, while longer durations of diarrhea were associated with GI.3 infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies are needed to understand the high rates of virus shedding in children without AGE symptoms.