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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, April 2006, p. 1262-1267, Vol. 44, No. 4
0095-1137/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.44.4.1262-1267.2006
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Molecular Epidemiology of Norovirus in Outbreaks of Gastroenteritis in Southwest Germany from 2001 to 2004

Anthony C. Ike,1 Stefan O. Brockmann,2 Kathrin Hartelt,2 Rachel E. Marschang,1 Matthias Contzen,3 and Rainer M. Oehme2*

Institute for Environmental and Animal Hygiene, Hohenheim University, Stuttgart, Germany,1 Baden-Württemberg State Health Office District Government Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany,2 Stuttgart Regional Chemical and Veterinary Control Laboratories, Fellbach, Germany3

Received 11 August 2005/ Returned for modification 22 November 2005/ Accepted 20 January 2006

The identification and molecular epidemiology of norovirus in outbreaks of gastroenteritis were studied during a 3-year period in Germany. Specimens (n = 316) from 159 nonbacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks from March 2001 to June 2004 were analyzed for the presence of noroviruses by reverse transcriptase PCR. Outbreaks were most frequent in elderly people's homes and care centers (43%), followed by hospitals (24%). Molecular analyses of strains from 148 outbreaks showed that there were up to 12 genotypes involved in the outbreaks. Genogroup II noroviruses were responsible for 95% of the outbreaks. Cocirculation of more than one strain in the same outbreak and cocirculation of genogroup I and II strains in the same place were observed. Genogroup II4 (Grimsby-like) was the most prevalent strain, accounting for 48% and 67% of the outbreaks in 2002 and 2003, respectively. The genogroup IIb (Castell/Suria) genotype was observed in all the years of the study. Epidemiological and molecular data indicated that there was a major shift of the predominant strain that coincided with the appearance of a new variant of genogroup II4 in 2002. By the application of reverse transcriptase PCR, this study has demonstrated the importance and dynamism of noroviruses in Germany.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Baden-Württemberg State Health Office, District Government Stuttgart, Wiederholdstrasse 15, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany. Phone: 49-(0)711-1849 315. Fax: 49-(0)711-1849 242. E-mail: rainer.oehme{at}rps.bwl.de.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, April 2006, p. 1262-1267, Vol. 44, No. 4
0095-1137/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.44.4.1262-1267.2006
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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