Genotyping and traceability analysis of norovirus in Yantai between 2017 and 2019

Abstract To investigate the diversity and evolution of noroviruses in Yantai in recent years, this study focused on the coat protein regions of norovirus‐positive samples with nucleic acid detection (cycle threshold) values below 30 between 2017 and 2019. A total of 81 sequences were obtained for genotyping. Initially, a high‐throughput sequencing approach was established to perform the whole‐genome sequencing of multiple typical diarrheal strains. Using bioinformatics software such as BEAST, recombinant variant analysis was performed for each genotype of the norovirus strains, and genetic evolutionary analysis was conducted for the dominant strain GII.4, as well as the rare variant GII.21. The results showed that there were multiple genotypes such as GI.3, GI.6, GI.7, GII.1, GII.2, GII.3, GII.4, GII.6, GII.13, GII.17, GII.21, and GIX.1 in the positive samples of norovirus from 2017 to 2019. GII.4 is characterized by diverse genotypes, with new changes in antigenic epitopes occurring during the course of the epidemic. This may have led to the emergence of a new pandemic. This suggests a need to strengthen surveillance. The results of this study suggest that attention should be paid to the predominant genotypes prevalent in neighboring countries and regions, and the safety supervision of imported food should be strengthened to aid in the prevention and control of related viruses.