Dynamics of norovirus genotype change and early characterization of variants in children with diarrhea in central Tunisia, 2001-2012.

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs), especially GII.4 strains, are a major cause of gastroenteritis epidemics in both children and adults. Stool samples were collected from 113 Tunisian children with acute gastroenteritis in 2001 and 2002 and were retrospectively tested for HuNoVs.

Rotavirus P[8] Infections in Persons with Secretor and Nonsecretor Phenotypes, Tunisia.

To determine whether rotavirus infections are linked to secretor status, we studied samples from children in Tunisia with gastroenteritis. We phenotyped saliva for human blood group antigens and tested feces for rotavirus. Rotavirus was detected in 32/114 patients.

Detection and genotyping of group A rotaviruses isolated from sewage samples in Monastir, Tunisia between April 2007 and April 2010.

Aims: To ascertain the viral load, the distribution of G and P types of group A rotaviruses (RV-A) in sewage samples and to compare strains in clinical, animal and environmental samples.

Methods And Results: During our study from April 2007 to April 2010, 518 samples of raw and treated sewage were collected from two biological sewage treatment plants (STPs) located in the Monastir region, Tunisia. RV-A was detected by real-time RT-PCR in 375 (72·4%) sewage samples.

Relationship between GII.3 norovirus infections and blood group antigens in young children in Tunisia.

Noroviruses (NoVs) constitute a major cause of gastroenteritis in Tunisia. One hundred and fourteen matched saliva and stool samples were collected from children (n = 114) suffering from acute gastroenteritis at the hospital of Monastir during the winter season 2011-2012. For 98 of 114 children, blood samples were collected for secretor genotyping.