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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, October 2006, p. 3695-3702, Vol. 44, No. 10
0095-1137/06/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/JCM.00023-06
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
Molecular Epidemiology of Norovirus Outbreaks in Norway during 2000 to 2005 and Comparison of Four Norovirus Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase PCR Assays
Kirsti Vainio1* and
Mette Myrmel2
Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway,1
Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway2
Received 5 January 2006/
Returned for modification 7 April 2006/
Accepted 10 July 2006
During the period from January 2000 to August 2005 a total of 204 outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis were diagnosed at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. A clear increase in the norovirus activity was seen in healthcare institutions during the winter seasons. Polymerase sequence analysis of norovirus strains from 122 outbreaks showed that 112 were caused by GII strains (91.8%). Two norovirus variants seen during the study periodGIIb and GII.4were predominant between January 2000 and September 2002, whereas GII.4 was predominant from September 2002 onward. The highest norovirus activity was seen during the 2002-2003 and 2004-2005 seasons with the emergence of new GII.4 variants. This study describes the molecular epidemiology of norovirus strains circulating in Norway during the five previous seasons and compares four norovirus real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assays. A suitable assay for routine diagnostics is suggested.
* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. Phone: 47 22042312. Fax: 46 22042447. E-mail:
kirsti.vainio{at}fhi.no.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, October 2006, p. 3695-3702, Vol. 44, No. 10
0095-1137/06/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/JCM.00023-06
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
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