First complete genome of a rare recombinant GII.5[P16] norovirus found in Russian Siberia

Noroviruses (family Caliciviridae) are common causes of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Multiple polymerase/capsid combinations have been identified among the norovirus genogroup GII, of which at least ten contain GII.P16 polymerase. During hospital-based surveillance (2003-2013) in Russia, we identified eight noroviruses with GII.P16 polymerase: GII.3[P16] (n=5), GII.16[P16] (n=2) and GII.5[P16]. This is the first report of the complete genome sequence of a previously undescribed recombinant GII.5[P.16] norovirus that was found in a child’s feces in 2010. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that ORF1 and ORF2/3 of the strain GII.5[P.16]/RUS/Novosibirsk/Nsk-N490/2010 formed separate branches in cluster GII.P16 and GII.5, respectively.