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. 1999 Jan;37(1):81-9.
doi: 10.1128/JCM.37.1.81-89.1999.

Molecular epidemiology of outbreaks of gastroenteritis associated with small round-structured viruses in East Anglia, United Kingdom, during the 1996-1997 season

A J Maguire  1 , J Green, D W Brown, U Desselberger, J J Gray
Affiliations

Molecular epidemiology of outbreaks of gastroenteritis associated with small round-structured viruses in East Anglia, United Kingdom, during the 1996-1997 season

A J Maguire et al. J Clin Microbiol. 1999 Jan.

Abstract

During the winter season from November 1996 to May 1997, 550 fecal specimens were submitted from 94 outbreaks of gastroenteritis occurring in East Anglia, United Kingdom. These specimens were tested for the presence of small round-structured viruses (SRSVs) by electron microscopy, reverse transcriptase PCR, or both methods. SRSVs were shown to be associated with 64 of 94 (68%) of these outbreaks, of which 16 (25%) outbreaks occurred at a single location (Southend) within the region. Twenty-four specimens from 13 of the 16 SRSV-positive outbreaks occurring in Southend were available for genomic analysis, in which divergence within the RNA polymerase region of the SRSV genome was investigated. A further 27 specimens from 17 other SRSV-associated outbreaks, occurring at different locations within East Anglia but at the same time as those at Southend, were also studied. Fifty of the total of 51 (98%) specimens studied were shown to belong to genogroup II, and within this genogroup, 49 of 50 (98%) specimens were shown to be Grimsby-like viruses, with only one Mexico-like strain. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of the Grimsby-like viruses indicated clusterings according to the geographical location of the outbreak. One specimen contained a virus belonging to genogroup I, and this had the greatest sequence identity (83%) with Southampton virus.

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Figures

FIG. 1
FIG. 1
Map of the United Kingdom with an inset showing East Anglia. The locations of outbreaks of gastroenteritis included in this study are indicated: 1, Addenbrooke’s; 2, Basildon; 3, Chelmsford; 4, Dulwich; 5, Herts and Essex; 6, Ipswich; 7, Lowestoft; 8, Romford; 9, Southend; 10, West Suffolk; and 11, Whipps Cross.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2
(A) Representative gel of Ni-E3 PCR products (113 bp). Lanes 4 and 5, positive and negative controls, respectively; Lane M, a 1-kb molecular size marker. (B) Representative gel of GI-GII-E3-PCR products. Lanes 7 and 8, GI and GII positive controls, respectively. The GI-E3 PCR product is 190 bp, and the GII-E3 product is 270 bp. Lane 6, negative control; lane M, 1-kb molecular size marker.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
Phylogenetic alignment of all sequence data obtained from outbreak specimens from this study and data available from the GenBank database for typical members of genogroup I (Norwalk, Southampton, and Desert Shield), genogroup II (Grimsby, Pilgrim, Lordsdale, Hawaii, Snow Mountain agent, Mexico, and Melksham), and genogroup III (Manchester, a classical calicivirus). These strains are indicated in boldface type. Outbreak strains are identified by the location and date of onset of the outbreak. Specimens in italic type are those for which GII-E3 sequence data were available and whose data were therefore used in the phylogenetic analysis whose results are presented in Fig. 4.
FIG. 4
FIG. 4
Alignment of all sequence data from GII-E3 products. The sequence data for the outbreak strains were compared with the sequence data for two typical genogroup II SRSVs, Grimsby and Lordsdale, from the GenBank database. The numbers in boldface type represent bootstraps for the alignment, and outbreak specimens are identified by date and location of outbreak. The calibration bar denotes divergence of 1%.
FIG. 5
FIG. 5
Alignment of sequences obtained for genogroup II (positive GII-E3 PCR products) specimens isolated from outbreaks occurring at all locations studied in this work during the 1996–1997 season compared with the sequence available for Grimsby virus (G-V) and Lordsdale virus (L-V). The sequence of the Grimsby virus is shown along the top, and consensus with this sequence in the other strains is indicated by a period. Single point mutations are identified by the replacement base. Numbering refers to the base position in the sequence. Specimens are identified by the date and location of outbreaks. Locations of outbreaks are abbreviated as follows: Bas, Basildon; S/end, Southend; Chel, Chelmsford; H&E, Herts and Essex; Add, Addenbrooke’s; W X, Whipps Cross; and W/Suf, West Suffolk.
FIG. 5
FIG. 5
Alignment of sequences obtained for genogroup II (positive GII-E3 PCR products) specimens isolated from outbreaks occurring at all locations studied in this work during the 1996–1997 season compared with the sequence available for Grimsby virus (G-V) and Lordsdale virus (L-V). The sequence of the Grimsby virus is shown along the top, and consensus with this sequence in the other strains is indicated by a period. Single point mutations are identified by the replacement base. Numbering refers to the base position in the sequence. Specimens are identified by the date and location of outbreaks. Locations of outbreaks are abbreviated as follows: Bas, Basildon; S/end, Southend; Chel, Chelmsford; H&E, Herts and Essex; Add, Addenbrooke’s; W X, Whipps Cross; and W/Suf, West Suffolk.
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