Norovirus diversity in diarrheic children from an African-descendant settlement in Bel�m, Northern Brazil

ABSTRACT

Norovirus (NoV), sapovirus (SaV) and human astrovirus (HAstV) are viral pathogens that are associated with outbreaks and sporadic cases of gastroenteritis. However, little is known about the occurrence of these pathogens in relatively isolated communities, such as the remnants of African-descendant villages (��Quilombola). The objective of this study was the frequency determination of these viruses in children under 10 years, with and without gastroenteritis, from a ��Quilombola Community, Northern Brazil. A total of 159 stool samples were obtained from April/2008 to July/2010 and tested by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect NoV, SaV and HAstV, and further molecular characterization was performed. These viruses were detected only in the diarrheic group. NoV was themost frequent viral agent detected (19.7 per cent -16/81), followed by SaV (2.5 per cent - 2/81) and HAstV (1.2 per cent -1/81). Of the 16 NoV-positive samples, 14 were sequenced with primers targeting the B region of the polymerase (ORF1) and the D region of the capsid (ORF2)... (AU)