Key result
Sapovirus positivity in Shandong increased from 0.75% in 2022 to 1.42% in 2023, and SaV-positive patients had a significantly higher incidence of vomiting than negative patients (P=0.002).
Cross-Sectional
Yes
p-value: p=0.002
Sapovirus infections increased significantly in Shandong, China from 2022 to 2023, with young children being most susceptible and the NS1 region showing the highest genetic variation.
Sapovirus (SaV) is a major pathogen responsible for acute gastroenteritis (AGE), and its incidence has been increasing in recent years. This study investigates the prevalence and the genetic characteristics of SaV in Shandong Province during 2022–2023, based on a surveillance network covering all age groups. Samples were obtained from a viral diarrhea surveillance network in Shandong Province during 2022–2023. SaVs were identified through quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing were performed on positive samples, and whole-genome sequencing was conducted using metagenomic sequencing technology. Sequence analysis was conducted using BioEdit 7.0.9.0 and MEGA X, while statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 26.0. A total of 157 SaV-positive cases were identified, resulting in a positivity rate of 1.12%. The positivity rate for SaV was 0.75% in 2022 and it increased significantly to 1.42% in 2023. The highest positivity rates for both 2022 and 2023 were observed in November. The highest positivity rate was observed in the 3–5-year-old age group. In 2022, Dongying City had the highest positivity rate, while Zaozhuang City exhibited the highest rate in 2023. The incidence of vomiting in SaV-positive patients was significantly higher compared to SaV-negative patients (P = 0.002). Eight genotypes were identified in both the VP1 and RdRp regions. The complete genome sequence analysis of a GI.3 strain showed that NS1 (5.88%, 4/68) was the region most prone to amino acid variation, followed by VP2 (5.45%, 9/165) within the same genotype. SaV infections are more prevalent in cold weather, with young children being particularly susceptible. The SaV positivity rate in 2023 increased significantly accompanied by an increased diversity of genotypes, compared to that of 2022. The NS1 region exhibits the biggest variation within the same genotype, indicating that more attention should be paid to other regions besides VP1 in the future study. Ongoing surveillance of SaV is recommended for effective prevention and control.
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Guo et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Acute gastroenteritis (viral diarrhea). Sapovirus infection vs. Sapovirus-negative patients was evaluated on Incidence of vomiting (p=0.002). Sapovirus positivity in Shandong increased from 0.75% in 2022 to 1.42% in 2023, and SaV-positive patients had a significantly higher incidence of vomiting than negative patients (P=0.002).
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