Repository logo
 

The First Norovirus Longitudinal Seroepidemiological Study From Sub-Saharan Africa Reveals High Seroprevalence of Diverse Genotypes Associated With Host Susceptibility Factors.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Change log

Authors

Thorne, Lucy 
Nalwoga, Angela 
Mentzer, Alexander J 
de Rougemont, Alexis 

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are a prominent cause of gastroenteritis, yet fundamental questions remain regarding epidemiology, diversity, and immunity in sub-Saharan African children. We investigated HuNoV seroprevalence and genetic and sociodemographic risk factors in Ugandan children. METHODS: We randomly screened 797 participants of a longitudinal birth cohort (Entebbe, EMaBS) and 378 from a cross-sectional survey (rural Lake Victoria, LaVIISWA), for antibodies against HuNoV genotypes by ELISA. We used linear regression modeling to test for associations between HuNoV antibody levels and sociodemographic factors, and with the human susceptibility rs601338 FUT2 secretor SNP and histo-blood group antigens (A/B/O). RESULTS: Of EMaBS participants, 76.6% were seropositive by age 1, rising to 94.5% by age 2 years. Seroprevalence in 1 year olds of the rural LaVIISWA survey was even higher (95%). In the birth cohort, 99% of seropositive 2 year olds had responses to multiple HuNoV genotypes. We identified associations between secretor status and genogroup GII antibody levels (GII.4 P = 3.1 × 10-52), as well as ABO and GI (GI.2 P = 2.1 × 10-12). CONCLUSIONS: HuNoVs are highly prevalent in Ugandan children, indicating a substantial burden of diarrhea-associated morbidity with recurrent infections. Public health interventions, including vaccination, and increased surveillance are urgently needed.

Description

Keywords

Antibodies, Viral, Blood Group Antigens, Caliciviridae Infections, Child, Preschool, Cross-Sectional Studies, Demography, Disease Susceptibility, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Female, Fucosyltransferases, Gastroenteritis, Genetic Variation, Genotype, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Norovirus, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Pregnancy, Risk Factors, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Socioeconomic Factors, Uganda, Galactoside 2-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase

Journal Title

J Infect Dis

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0022-1899
1537-6613

Volume Title

218

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (097997/Z/11/Z)
Medical Research Council (MR/K013491/1)
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Research Limited (S0818)