Detection and characterization of sapoviruses in outbreaks of gastroenteritis in southwest Germany.

BACKGROUND

Sapovirus (SV) has been reported from many countries as one of the major causes of gastroenteritis in infants, but its importance for a broader age range is not well appreciated. While previous studies in our regional laboratory and other parts of Germany have identified Norovirus (NV) as a major cause of gastroenteritis in Germany, the prevalence of SV has not been recorded.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of SV in outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

STUDY DESIGN

Stool specimens from 34 outbreaks of gastroenteritis collected in Baden-Württemberg, Germany in 2002 and 2003, which tested negative for other enteric pathogens were tested for SV by RT-PCR. Positive samples were sequenced and typed using phylogenetic analysis.

RESULTS

SV was identified in two of 157 (1.3%) specimens. These two viruses belonged to different genotypes of SV and had a nucleotide similarity of only 57%.

CONCLUSIONS

SV circulates within the study area, but is not an important cause of gastroenteritis in the area.