| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3370102 | Journal of Clinical Virology | 2008 | 7 Pages |
BackgroundHuman caliciviruses (HuCVs) cause gastroenteritis throughout the world. Limited information is available on molecular epidemiology of caliciviruses from developing countries including India.ObjectivesStandardization and evaluation of a two-step multiplex RT-PCR assay for HuCVs and characterization of strains.Study designTwo hundred and twenty-six stool samples were collected from children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) over a one and half year to study the prevalence and diversity of HuCVs in children with AGE in New Delhi, India. A multiplex two-step RT-PCR using 3 sets of external and 4 sets of internal primers from the RdRp gene was standardized for detection of NoVs and SaVs. Molecular characterization of some HuCV strains was done by sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis.ResultsFifty-nine HuCVs strains were detected in 54 (24%) of the samples; 5 samples had mixed infections. Of these 59 HuCVs, 36 (61%) were norovirus (34 were GGII; 2 were GGI) and 23 (39%) were sapovirus (22 were GGI; 1 was GGII). Phylogenetic analysis of partial RdRp gene of 12 HuCV strains identified three genotypes (GGI/4, GGII/3 and a newly identified GIIb/Hilversum cluster) in NoVs and one genotype (GGI/1) in SaVs.ConclusionThis is one of the few reports from India on detection and characterization of HuCVs by multiplex RT-PCR assay. This assay can be a useful tool for epidemiological studies of HuCV infections.
