Genetic diversity of sapovirus in fecal specimens from infants and children with acute gastroenteritis in Pakistan

Arch Virol. 2005 Feb;150(2):371-7. doi: 10.1007/s00705-004-0401-0. Epub 2004 Oct 11.

Abstract

A total of 517 fecal specimens collected from infants and children with acute gastroenteritis in Karachi city, Pakistan during 1990-1994 were examined for the presence of sapovirus by RT-PCR and sequence analysis methods. Sapovirus was identified in 17 of 517 (3.2%) specimens. Sapovirus was further clustered into three distinct genogroups (I, II and IV) and these presented 70.6%, 23.5% and 5.9%, respectively. Our results clearly indicated that sapovirus could be classified into 7 GI and 4 GII genotypes. It was noteworthy to point out that sapovirus detected among Pakistani infants and children with acute gastroenteritis demonstrated the great genetic diversity and presented novel sapovirus genotypes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Caliciviridae Infections / virology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Feces / virology*
  • Female
  • Gastroenteritis / virology*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Pakistan
  • Sapovirus / genetics*
  • Sapovirus / isolation & purification