Another challenge, he said, is that antibodies are only cross-protective within the same genogroup. "Future NoV vaccines will need to be composed of both GI and GII virus–like particles (VLPs)," he said. "Finally, significant antigenic diversity of noroviruses and the constant antigenic drift may require active surveillance similar to what we have for influenza viruses, where we are constantly surveying what strains are in the community and changing the composition of vaccine VLP strains to represent these important community strains."
Dr. Koo disclosed that he has received research support from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and the Baylor College of Medicine Center for Globalization.