First cases of Recombinant Noroviruses in Cameroon

Authors

  • Akongnwi E Mugyia Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon Author
  • Valentine N Ndze Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon Author
  • Jane-Francis TK Akoachere Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon Author
  • Angeline Boula Rotavirus National Reference Laboratory, Mother and Child Centre of the Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon Author
  • Paul Koki Ndombo Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, Cameroon Author
  • Lucy M Ndip Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JVRR/2020(1)112.

Keywords:

Cameroon, Genetic Diversity, Norovirus, Recombinant

Abstract

Noroviruses have been reported as being a common cause of acute gastroenteritis both in children and adults worldwide. Genotyping and nomenclature of noroviruses was based on the partial capsid gene of the ORF2. Due to frequent reported recombination activities in the ORF1/ORF2 junction, a new dual nomenclature has been proposed based on genotyping of two genes – the capsid and polymerase genes. This study identified recombinant noroviruses circulating in Cameroon between 2010 and 2013. RT-PCR –based methods, next generation sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were used to genotype samples from hospitalized children. The combined RdRp/capsid dual genotype was determined for 19 GII strains including 5 RdRp genotypes (GII.P4, GII.P7, GII.P17, GII.P21, and GII.P31) and 5 capsid genotypes (GII.2, GII.3, GII.4, GII.6, GII.17). They had 17(89.5%) recombinants and 2 (112.5%) non recombinants. 17 were recombinants. The most prevalent noroviruses were GII.4 (76.5%) consisting of GII.4 Sydney [P31] (41.2%) and GII.4 Sydney [P4 New Orleans] (35.3%), followed by GII.6 [P7] (11.8%), GII.2 [P21] (5.9%) and GII.3 [P21] (5.9%). This is the first study of norovirus dual genotyping and recombinants in Cameroon. Recombination activity is high and contributes to ongoing evolution of circulating noroviruses in Cameroon.

Author Biographies

  • Akongnwi E Mugyia, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon

    Akongnwi E Mugyia, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon

  • Valentine N Ndze, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon

    Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon

  • Jane-Francis TK Akoachere, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon


    Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon

  • Angeline Boula, Rotavirus National Reference Laboratory, Mother and Child Centre of the Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Rotavirus National Reference Laboratory, Mother and Child Centre of the Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon

  • Paul Koki Ndombo, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, Cameroon

    Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, Cameroon

  • Lucy M Ndip, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon

    Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon

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Published

2020-10-08

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2020): Volume 1, Issue 2

Section

Articles