Genetic diversity of noroviruses in Chinese adults: Potential recombination hotspots and GII-4/Den Haag-specific mutations at a putative epitope

► 106 of 547 specimens (19.4%) from adults with gastroenteritis in Beijing, China were found noroviruses positive. ► Two recombinant types were identified, in which both breakpoints are located within 24-27 bp region upstream the start codon of ORF2. ► An emergent mutation H414P/Q on the major capsid protein is specific for GII-4/Den Haag. ► This H414P/Q mutation is located within a predicted antibody-binding epitope.