Abstract:
This study aimed to assess norovirus (NoV) contamination and genotype diversity in surface
water in Gauteng, South Africa. Between January 2008 and December 2010, three rivers, namely
Klip, Suikerbosrant, and Rietspruit were monitored for NoV genogroup (G)I and GII. Viruses
were recovered using the glass wool adsorption-elution technique and detected by real-time
reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. From 2008 to 2010, NoVs were detected in 66%
(70/106) of Klip river samples. The Rietspruit and Suikerbosrant rivers were contaminated with
NoV in 95% (20/21) and 21% (5/24) of samples, respectively. NoV-positive samples comprised
of 33% GI, 29% GII and 38% of both GI and GII strains. Based on partial capsid gene analysis
(region C), 16 NoV genotypes (6 GI, 10 GII) were identified. The major genotypes detected were
GI.4, GI.5 and GII.4. These rivers could be a potential source of NoV infection for communities
using the water for domestic or recreational purposes.
