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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania » Eastern Regional Research Center » Food Safety and Intervention Technologies Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #280991

Title: Recent intervention and detection advances for shellfish-borne norovirus

Author
item Kingsley, David

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2012
Publication Date: 5/8/2012
Citation: Kingsley, D.H. 2012. Recent intervention and detection advances for shellfish-borne norovirus. Meeting Abstract. National Committee for the Microbiologist Criteria Subcommittee., Washington, DC., May 8-10,2012.Volume 1, Page 1.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Human norovirus strains cannot be propagated in the laboratory and current detection methods are based on RNA detection methods, such as RT-PCR. Unfortunately, current RNA-based methods cannot distinguish infectious virions from damaged virions unless the capsid has lost its integrity. In order to infect the host cell, a virus must first bind to its receptor. We have exploited this fact to develop a means of separating potentially infectious virus from inactive virus using virus receptor-like glycoproteins attached to magnetic beads. This extraction method, when coupled with RT-PCR extraction, should reduce the detection of inactive norovirus virions that are not a threat to public health. The utility of this method for testing shellfish and other foods is currently being evaluated. In addition, results will be presented from the recently published study on high pressure processing treatment of human norovirus within shellfish and the persistence of viruses within blood cells of oysters including its implications for enhanced diagnostic techniques.