Molecular Characterization of Noroviruses Detected in Diarrheic Stools of Michigan and Wisconsin Dairy Calves: Circulation of Two Distinct Subgroups

Authors

Annabel G. Wise, The Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health and the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, A45 Veterinary Medical Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Stephan S. Monroe, The Viral Gastroenteritis Section, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA
Lora E. Hanson, The Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health and the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, A45 Veterinary Medical Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Daniel L. Grooms, The Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Donald Sockett, The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories, 6101 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705, USA
Roger K. Maes, The Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health and the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, A45 Veterinary Medical Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Date of this Version

2004

Comments

Published in Virus Research 100 (2004) 165–177.

Abstract

Noroviruses have emerged as the leading worldwide cause of acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. The presence of noroviruses in diarrheic stool samples from calves on Michigan and Wisconsin dairy farms was investigated by RT-PCR. Norovirus-positive samples were found on all eight farms studied in Michigan and on 2 out of 14 farms in Wisconsin. Phylogenetic analyses of partial polymerase and capsid sequences, derived for a subset of these bovine noroviruses, showed that these strains formed a group which is genetically distinct from the human noroviruses, but more closely related to genogroup I than to genogroup II human noroviruses. Examination of 2 full and 10 additional partial capsid (ORF2) sequences of these bovine strains revealed the presence of two genetic subgroups or clusters of bovine noroviruses circulating on Michigan and Wisconsin farms. One subgroup is “Jena-like”, the other “Newbury agent-2-like”.