Development of a reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the detection of human norovirus in bivalve molluscs

Abstract

Noroviruses are significant seafood-borne pathogens, commonly associated with the consumption of filter feeding bivalve molluscs. Here, we report the development of a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method using primers based on the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene of norovirus genogroup II (NoV GII). Samples of bivalves were processed for the concentration of virus and extraction of RNA, followed by reverse transcription PCR. A total of 50 molluscan shellfish samples were analyzed, of which 16 samples yielded positive amplifications of norovirus nucleic acid. The PCR method described here, involving a single set of primers, is useful for rapid screening of shellfish for NoV GII.