Molecular detection of kobuviruses and recombinant noroviruses in cattle in continental Europe

Two genotypes (Jena and Newbury2) and two intergenotype recombinant strains have been recognized in bovine noroviruses. Several studies have shown an apparent predominance of bovine infection with Newbury2-related (genotype 2) strains. Bovine stool samples were screened with two primer pairs targeting both the polymerase and the capsid genes. Among the predominant genotype 2 sequences, two were genetically related to the recombinant strain Thirsk10. The detection of sequences genetically related to Thirsk10, together with the very low rate of detection of Jena-related sequences, characterized the bovine norovirus population in Belgium, a representative region of continental Europe. Unexpectedly, bovine kobuvirus-related sequences were also amplified, extending their distribution area in Europe.