Acute Gastroenteritis Associated with Norovirus GII.8[P8], Thailand, 2023.

Acute gastroenteritis associated with human norovirus infection was reported in Phuket, Thailand, in June 2023. We amplified GII.8[P8] from the outbreak stool specimens. Retrospective sample analysis identified infrequent GII.8[P8] in the country beginning in 2018. In all, the 10 whole-genome GII.8[P8] sequences from Thailand we examined had no evidence of genotypic recombination.

Norovirus GII.3[P25] in Patients and Produce, Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, 2022.

An increase in acute gastroenteritis occurred in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, during December 2021‒January 2022. Of the norovirus genotypes we identified in hospitalized patients and produce from local markets, genotype GII.3[P25] accounted for one third. We found no traceable link between patients and produce but found evidence of potential viral intake.

A G3P[9] rotavirus strain with an unusual genome constellation in a diarrheic cat in Thailand.

Rotavirus infection can cause diarrhea in many animal species. A 2-year-old indoor female Siamese cat with bloody mucoid diarrhea tested positive for rotavirus (RV) group A by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Subsequent conventional RT-PCR amplification of the 11 RV segments and sequencing revealed a G3-P[9]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T3-E3-H3 genome constellation. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the VP4, VP7, NSP1, NSP3, NSP4, and NSP5 genes were closely related to those of human feline-like rotaviruses, while the VP1, VP2, VP3, VP6, and NSP2 genes were genetically closest to those of human bovine-like rotaviruses, suggesting that genetic reassortment had occurred. The uniqueness of this G3P[9] feline rotavirus strain expands our knowledge about feline rotaviruses.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus genotype B in Thailand.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) has been reported in many countries in Southeast Asia, which expands the original geographic range of China, Korea, and Japan. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of two Thai SFTSV strains previously identified in patients with undifferentiated febrile illness in 2020. Phylogenetically, both clustered with SFTSV genotype B strains and were most closely related to those previously reported in central China (≥99.0% nucleotide sequence identity) in the L, M, and S gene segments. Nine amino acid residues encoded by one or more Thai SFTSV genomes differed from those found in global strains. Interestingly, the observed differences in numerous residues between the Thai strains suggest possible separate introductions of different variants into the region.

Human Norovirus Infection in Dogs, Thailand.

In July 2018, recombinant norovirus GII.Pe-GII.4 Sydney was detected in dogs who had diarrhea in a kennel and in children living on the same premises in Thailand. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 4 noroviruses from Thailand showed that the canine norovirus was closely related to human norovirus GII.Pe-GII.4 Sydney, suggesting human-to-canine transmission.

Recombinant GII.Pe-GII.4 Norovirus, Thailand, 2017-2018.

During June 2017-December 2018, norovirus was responsible for 10.9% of acute gastroenteritis cases in Thailand. Genogroup I (GI) was found in 14% of samples, of which 12 were co-infected with genogroup II (GII). In 35.8% of samples, GII.Pe-GII.4 Sydney predominated. Diverse recombinant strains of GI and GII norovirus co-circulated year-round.

Detection and characterization of Aichi virus 1 in pediatric patients with diarrhea in Thailand.

Kobuvirus is a newly discovered virus that belongs to the Kobuvirus genus in Picornaviridae family, which comprised of three species including Aichivirus A, Aichivirus B, and Aichivirus C. The kobuvirus isolated from human has been classified as Aichi virus 1 and belongs to Aichivirus A species. The present study aimed to assess the epidemiology and to perform molecular characterization of Aichi virus 1 in children admitted to hospitals with acute gastroenteritis in Chiang Mai, Thailand. A total of 923 fecal specimens collected from January, 2011 to December, 2013 were screened for the presence of Aichi virus 1 by RT semi-nested PCR. Out of 923 fecal specimens tested, Aichi virus 1 was detected with the prevalence of 2.6% (24/923). Of these, 0.3% (3/923) was genotype A and 2.3% (21/923) were genotype B. It is interesting to note that the genotype A showed the nucleotide sequence closely related to the Aichi virus reference strain isolated from sewage in Tunisia, while genotype B was most closely related to other human Aichi virus B reference strains. The results suggest that Aichi virus 1 of both genotypes A and B are circulating in pediatric patients in Thailand. J. Med. Virol. 89:234-238, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Detection and molecular characterization of porcine kobuvirus in piglets in 2009-2013 in northern Thailand.

A total of 636 fecal samples collected from piglets with and without diarrhea during 2009 to 2013 were tested for porcine kobuvirus by RT-PCR. From a total of 528 fecal samples collected from piglets with diarrhea and 108 from healthy controls, 505 (95.6%) and 104 (96.3%) were positive for porcine kobuvirus, respectively. The detection rates of porcine kobuvirus were remarkable equally high in both diarrheic and healthy piglets. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that porcine kobuvirus strains detected in both symptomatic and asymptomatic piglets were genetically closely related to each other and also to other porcine kobuviruses reported worldwide. It was interesting to point out that one of the porcine kobuvirus strains isolated from piglet in our study was similar to a porcine-like bovine kobuvirus reference strain isolated previously in South Korea. This finding provided the evidence to support the interspecies transmission of kobuviruses between cattle and swine.

Great genetic diversity of rotaviruses detected in piglets with diarrhea in Thailand.

A total of 491 fecal specimens collected from diarrheic piglets in Thailand from January 2011 to March 2014 were screened for group A rotavirus by RT-PCR assay. The G and P genotypes of the detected rotaviruses were determined by multiplex PCR or nucleotide sequencing. Group A rotaviruses were detected in 113 out of 491 (23.0 %) fecal specimens. A wide variety of G-P genotype combinations were identified, and G4P[13] was the most prevalent genotype combination (29.2 %), followed by G4P[23] (14.1 %), G5P[23] (11.5 %), G4P[6] (9.7 %), G3P[23] (7.0 %), G5P[13] (6.1 %), G3P[13] (4.4 %), G3P[6] (2.7 %), and G5P[6] (2.7 %). In addition, the other G-P combinations were also detected at a low percentage, including G3P[19], G4P[7], G9P[19], G9P[23], G9P[7], G4P[19], and G11P[13] strains. This study indicated that group A rotaviruses are a common causes of diarrhea in piglets and a great diversity of G and P genotype combinations are circulating in piglets in Thailand.

SAffold viruses in pediatric patients with diarrhea in Thailand.

Saffold virus (SAFV) is a newly discovered human virus which is classified into the genus Cardiovirus of the family Picornaviridae. A total of 608 fecal specimens collected during January 2012 to December 2013 from children with diarrhea in Chiang Mai, Thailand were investigated for SAFV by RT-nested PCR and sequence analysis. Of these, nine out of 608 (1.5%) were positive for SAFVs and four genotypes were identified, SAFV1, SAFV2, SAFV3, and SAFV4. SAFV mono-infection was found in five cases (CMH-S038-12, CMH-S071-12, CMH-S102-12, CMH-N029-12, and CMH-S048-13), while co-infection with other viruses causing diarrhea was observed in four cases (CMH-S021-12, CMH-S115-12, CMH-N048-13 and CMH-N103-13). This study provides more information about the genetic background of SAFV circulating in pediatric patients with diarrhea in Thailand.

Molecular epidemiology, clinical analysis, and genetic characterization of Zika virus infections in Thailand (2020-2023).

To investigate the clinical and molecular characteristics and evolution of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in Thailand from March 2020 to March 2023. In all, 751 serum samples from hospitalized patients in Bangkok and the surrounding areas were screened for ZIKV using real-time RT-PCR. Demographic data and clinical variables were evaluated. Phylogenetic and molecular clock analysis determined the genetic relationships among the ZIKV strains, emergence timing, and their molecular characteristics. Among the 90 confirmed ZIKV cases, there were no significant differences in infection prevalence when comparing age groups and sexes. Rash was strongly associated with ZIKV infection. Our ZIKV Thai isolates were categorized into two distinct clades: one was related to strains from Myanmar, Vietnam, Oceania, and various countries in the Americas, and the other was closely related to previously circulating strains in Thailand, one of which shared a close relation to a neurovirulent ZIKV strain from Cambodia. Moreover, ZIKV Thai strains could be further classified into multiple sub-clades, each exhibiting specific mutations suggesting the genetic diversity among the circulating strains of ZIKV in Thailand. Understanding ZIKV epidemiology and genetic diversity is crucial for tracking the virus's evolution and adapting prevention and control strategies.

Molecular surveillance of arboviruses circulation and co-infection during a large chikungunya virus outbreak in Thailand, October 2018 to February 2020.

A large national outbreak of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was recently reported in Thailand. While dengue virus (DENV) infection tends to occur year-round with an upsurge in the rainy season, Zika virus (ZIKV) also circulates in the country. The overlap in the distribution of these viruses increased the probability of co-infections during the heightened CHIKV activity. By examining 1806 patient serum samples submitted for CHIKV diagnostics from October 2018-February 2020 (511 CHIKV-negatives and 1295 CHIKV-positives), we used real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to identify DENV and ZIKV individually. A total of 29 ZIKV and 36 DENV single-infections were identified. Interestingly, 13 co-infection cases were observed, of which 8 were CHIKV/DENV, 3 were CHIKV/ZIKV, and 2 were DENV/ZIKV. There were six DENV genotypes (13 DENV-1 genotype I, 10 DENV-2 Asian I, 10 DENV-2 Cosmopolitan, 6 DENV-3 genotype I, 2 DENV-3 genotype III, and 5 DENV-4 genotype I). Additionally, ZIKV strains identified in this study either clustered with strains previously circulating in Thailand and Singapore, or with strains previously reported in China, French Polynesia, and the Americas. Our findings reveal the co-infection and genetic diversity patterns of mosquito-borne viruses circulating in Thailand.

The impact of COVID-19 and control measures on public health in Thailand, 2020.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 virus has been an emerging disease causing global outbreaks for over a year. In Thailand, transmission may be controlled by strict measures that could positively and negatively impact physical health and suicidal behavior. METHODS: The incidence of COVID-19 was retrieved from the Department of Disease Control (DDC). The impact of viral diseases was retrieved from the open-source of the DDC and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. The road accidents data were from the Thai Ministry of Transport. The suicidal behavior data were obtained from the Department of Mental Health. We compared data from the year 2019 with the pandemic COVID-19 outbreak period in 2020, before lockdown, during lockdown, easing, and new wave period using unpaired t-test and least-squares linear regression. We compared the impact of the outbreak on various data records in 2020 with corresponding non-outbreak from 2019. RESULTS: There was a significant decline in cases of influenza (p < 0.001) and norovirus (p = 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in RSV cases (p = 0.17). There was a dramatic increase in attempt to suicides and suicides (p < 0.001). There was no impact on roadside accidents and outpatient department visits. DISCUSSION: The extensive intervention measures during lockdown during the first wave positively impacted total cases for each period for acute respiratory and gastrointestinal tract diseases, car accidents, and injuries and negatively impacted indicators of suicidal behavior. The data support government policies that would be effective against the next outbreak by promoting the "new normal" lifestyle.

Human norovirus GII.4 Hong Kong variant shares common ancestry with GII.4 Osaka and emerged in Thailand in 2016.

Human norovirus is a leading cause of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis, which affects all age groups and are found globally. Infections are highly contagious and often occur as outbreaks. Periodic emergence of new strains are not uncommon and novel variants are named after the place of first reported nucleotide sequence. Here, we identified human norovirus GII.4 Hong Kong variant in stool samples from Thai patients presented with acute gastroenteritis. Comparison of amino acid residues deduced from the viral nucleotide sequence with those of historical and contemporary norovirus GII.4 strains revealed notable differences, which mapped to the defined antigenic sites of the viral major capsid protein. Time-scaled phylogenetic analysis suggests that GII.4 Hong Kong shared common ancestry with GII.4 Osaka first reported in 2007, and more importantly, did not evolve from the now-prevalent GII.4 Sydney lineage. As circulation of norovirus minor variants can lead to eventual widespread transmission in susceptible population, this study underscores the potential emergence of the GII.4 Hong Kong variant, which warrants vigilant molecular epidemiological surveillance.

High prevalence of circulating DS-1-like human rotavirus A and genotype diversity in children with acute gastroenteritis in Thailand from 2016 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Human rotavirus A (RVA) infection is the primary cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in infants and young children worldwide, especially in children under 5 years of age and is a major public health problem causing severe diarrhea in children in Thailand. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, genotype diversity, and molecular characterization of rotavirus infection circulating in children under 15 years of age diagnosed with AGE in Thailand from January 2016 to December 2019. METHODS: A total of 2,001 stool samples were collected from children with gastroenteritis (neonates to children <15 years of age) and tested for RVA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Amplified products were sequenced and submitted to an online genotyping tool for analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 301 (15.0%) stool samples were positive for RVA. RVA occurred most frequently among children aged 0-24 months. The seasonal incidence of rotavirus infection occurred typically in Thailand during the winter months (December-March). The G3P[8] genotype was identified as the most prevalent genotype (33.2%, 100/301), followed by G8P[8] (10.6%, 32/301), G9P[8] (6.3%, 19/301), G2P[4] (6.0%, 18/301), and G1P[6] (5.3%, 16/301). Uncommon G and P combinations such as G9P[4], G2P[8], G3P[4] and G3P[9] were also detected at low frequencies. In terms of genetic backbone, the unusual DS-1-like G3P[8] was the most frequently detected (28.2%, 85/301), and the phylogenetic analysis demonstrated high nucleotide identity with unusual DS-1-like G3P[8] detected in Thailand and several countries. CONCLUSIONS: A genetic association between RVA isolates from Thailand and other countries ought to be investigated given the local and global dissemination of rotavirus as it is crucial for controlling viral gastroenteritis, and implications for the national vaccination programs.

High prevalence of DS-1-like rotavirus infection in Thai adults between 2016 and 2019.

Rotavirus infection is the most common cause of viral diarrhea in infants and young children but uncommon and usually asymptomatic in adults. In the winter of 2017-2018, a large-scale outbreak of rotavirus in both children and adults was reported in Thailand. The current study focused on the prevalence, genotyping, and molecular characterization of rotavirus infections in Thai adults from July 2016 to December 2019. In 2,598 stool samples collected from adult residents of Bangkok (aged #x2265; 15 years) with acute gastroenteritis, rotavirus was detected via real-time RT-PCR analysis of the VP6 gene. G, P and I genotypes were determined by direct sequencing of VP7, VP4, and VP6 genes, respectively. Our results showed 8.7% (226/2,598) of stool samples were positive for rotavirus. The incidence of rotavirus was high during the winter season of 2017-2018 (17.7%) compared to another studied periods (4.5% between July 2016- October 2017 and 2.8% between March 2018- December 2019). Nucleotide sequencing of VP7 and VP4 revealed G3P[8] as the predominant strain (33.2%,75/226), followed by G9P[8] (17.3%,39/226), and G2P[4] (15.0%,34/226). Uncommon G and P combinations were additionally detected at low frequencies. VP6 sequencing was conducted to discriminate I genotype between the Wa and DS-1 genogroup. The unusual DS-1-like G3P[8] strain was most prevalent amomg rotavirus strains detected in this study (29.6%, 67/226), and the corresponding VP7 sequences showed high nucleotide identity with unusual DS-1-like globally circulating strains. Our study demonstrates that rotavirus outbreaks in adults are attributable not only to high prevalence of RV infection but also the unusual DS-like genogroup. The collective findings reinforce the importance of investigating rotavirus diagnosis in adults suffering from acute gastroenteritis and taking appropriate preventive measures.

Prevalence of poliovirus vaccine strains in randomized stool samples from 2010 to 2018: encompassing transition from the trivalent to bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine.

Global eradication of poliovirus (PV) has previously relied on the live attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). However, in order to eliminate the risk of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis, the use of OPV will soon be discontinued. Thailand has introduced inactivated polio vaccine since December 2015 and replaced trivalent with bivalent OPV since April 2016. To provide crucial surveillance data during this polio vaccine transition period, poliovirus shedding in stool was performed. A total of 7446 stool samples between 2010 and September 2018 were tested for poliovirus using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Approximately 0.44% (33/7446) of the samples tested were positive for PV. All positive specimens had more than 99% homology with the Sabin vaccine strain, based on complete VP1 nucleotide sequences. Although trivalent OPV use has been discontinued in Thailand since April 2016, PV type 2 could be detected in stool samples collected in May 2016 but has not been found afterwards. The use of bivalent OPV was able to reduce PV type 2 shedding in stools and could contribute to the reduction of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis in Thai children.

Emergence of multiple norovirus strains in Thailand, 2015-2017.

Norovirus is a major cause of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Infection can be sporadic or result in widespread outbreaks. The surveillance of norovirus samples (n = 1591) obtained from patients with diarrhea in Thailand from January 2015 to February 2017 suggested that the predominance of norovirus GII.4 often seen in sporadic infection had been superseded by the emergence of GII.17. More recently, a sharp increase in acute gastroenteritis associated with norovirus GII·P16-GII.2 recombinant strain was observed at the end of 2016. Thus, previously rare norovirus strains and their recombinant derivatives may be more frequently responsible for future outbreaks.

Analysis of complete genome sequences of G9P[19] rotavirus strains from human and piglet with diarrhea provides evidence for whole-genome interspecies transmission of nonreassorted porcine rotavirus.

Whole genomes of G9P[19] human (RVA/Human-wt/THA/CMH-S070-13/2013/G9P[19]) and porcine (RVA/Pig-wt/THA/CMP-015-12/2012/G9P[19]) rotaviruses concurrently detected in the same geographical area in northern Thailand were sequenced and analyzed for their genetic relationships using bioinformatic tools. The complete genome sequence of human rotavirus RVA/Human-wt/THA/CMH-S070-13/2013/G9P[19] was most closely related to those of porcine rotavirus RVA/Pig-wt/THA/CMP-015-12/2012/G9P[19] and to those of porcine-like human and porcine rotaviruses reference strains than to those of human rotavirus reference strains. The genotype constellation of G9P[19] detected in human and piglet were identical and displayed as the G9-P[19]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1 genotypes with the nucleotide sequence identities of VP7, VP4, VP6, VP1, VP2, VP3, NSP1, NSP2, NSP3, NSP4, and NSP5 at 99.0%, 99.5%, 93.2%, 97.7%, 97.7%, 85.6%, 89.5%, 93.2%, 92.9%, 94.0%, and 98.1%, respectively. The findings indicate that human rotavirus strain RVA/Human-wt/THA/CMH-S070-13/2013/G9P[19] containing the genome segments of porcine genetic backbone is most likely a human rotavirus of porcine origin. Our data provide an evidence of interspecies transmission and whole-genome transmission of nonreassorted G9P[19] porcine RVA to human occurring in nature in northern Thailand.