The analysis of sapovirus infection in children under 5 years old with diarrhea in eight provinces of China, 2012-2014

Objective To investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics of sapovirus in children under 5 years old with diarrhea in eight provinces of China from 2012 to 2014. Methods From January 2012 to December 2014, a total of 3175 stool specimens and epidemiological data were collected from children under 5 years old with diarrhea. Sapoviruses were detected by one step reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). All sapovirus strains were sequenced and the phylogenetic analyses was performed. Results Sapoviruses were detected in 22 of 3175 specimens (0.69%). The positive rates of sapoviruses among age groups of <6 moths, 6-12 months and 12-24 months were 0.53%, 0.70% and 0.52%, respectively. The positive rate was 2.63% in age group of 4-5 years old. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the predominant strains were genotype GI.1 (8 strains) and GII.1 (7 strains)of sapovirus, and genotype of GI.2 (2 strains), GII.3 (1 strain), GII.4 (1 strain), GII.5 (2 strains) and GIV (1 strain) were also detected. Conclusions Sapovirus was one of the pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis in some areas of China, and genotype GI.1 and GII.1 of sapovirus were the predominant strains. Key words: Diarrhea; Children; Sapovirus; Genotype