BACKGROUND: Sapovirus (SV) has been reported from many countries as one of the major causes of gastroenteritis in infants, but its importance for a broader age range is not well appreciated. While previous studies in our regional laboratory and other parts of Germany have identified Norovirus (NV) as a major cause of gastroenteritis in Germany, the prevalence of SV has not been recorded. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of SV in outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. STUDY DESIGN: Stool specimens from 34 outbreaks of gastroenteritis collected in Baden-Württemberg, Germany in 2002 and 2003, which tested negative for other enteric pathogens were tested for SV by RT-PCR. Positive samples were sequenced and typed using phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: SV was identified in two of 157 (1.3%) specimens. These two viruses belonged to different genotypes of SV and had a nucleotide similarity of only 57%. CONCLUSIONS: SV circulates within the study area, but is not an important cause of gastroenteritis in the area.
BACKGROUND: Sapovirus (SV) has been reported from many countries as one of the major causes of gastroenteritis in infants, but its importance for a broader age range is not well appreciated. While previous studies in our regional laboratory and other parts of Germany have identified Norovirus (NV) as a major cause of gastroenteritis in Germany, the prevalence of SV has not been recorded. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of SV in outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. STUDY DESIGN: Stool specimens from 34 outbreaks of gastroenteritis collected in Baden-Württemberg, Germany in 2002 and 2003, which tested negative for other enteric pathogens were tested for SV by RT-PCR. Positive samples were sequenced and typed using phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: SV was identified in two of 157 (1.3%) specimens. These two viruses belonged to different genotypes of SV and had a nucleotide similarity of only 57%. CONCLUSIONS: SV circulates within the study area, but is not an important cause of gastroenteritis in the area.
Authors: Freddy Jun Xian Neo; Jimmy Jin Phang Loh; Peijun Ting; Wei Xin Yeo; Christine Qiu Han Gao; Vernon Jian Ming Lee; Boon Huan Tan; Ching Ging Ng Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2017-11-14 Impact factor: 3.090