Molecular detection and characterisation of sapoviruses and noroviruses in outpatient children with diarrhoea in Northwest Ethiopia

Childhood morbidity and mortality of diarrhoeal diseases are high, particularly in low- income countries and noroviruses and sapoviruses are among the most frequent causes worldwide. Their epidemiology and diversity remain not well studied in many African countries. To assess the positivity rate and the diversity of sapoviruses and noroviruses in Northwest Ethiopia, during November 2015 and April 2016, a total of 450 faecal samples were collected from outpatient children aged < 5 years who presented with diarrhoea. Samples were screened for noroviruses and sapoviruses by real- time RT- PCR. Partial VP1 genes were sequenced, genotyped and phylogenetically analysed. Norovirus and sapovirus stool positivity rate was 13.3% and 10.0%, respectively. Noroviruses included GII.4 (35%), GII.6 (20%), GII.17 (13.3%), GII.10 (10%), GII.2 (6.7%), GII.16 (5%), GII.7 (3.3%), GII.9, GII.13, GII.20 and GI. 3 (1.7% each) strains. For sapoviruses, GI. 1, GII.1 (20.0% each), GII.6 (13.3%), GI. 2 (8.9%), GII.2 (11.1%), GV. 1 (8.9%), GIV. 1 (6.7%), GI. 3 and GII.4 (2.2% each) genotypes were detected. This study demonstrates a high genetic diversity of noroviruses and sapoviruses in Northwest Ethiopia. The positivity rate in stool samples from young children with diarrhoea was high for both caliciviruses. Continued monitoring is recommended to identify trends in genetic diversity and seasonal variations.