Novel light-upon-extension real-time PCR assays for detection and quantification of genogroup I and II noroviruses in clinical specimens.

ABSTRACT: Norovirus is now recognized as the leading cause of nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis in adults, causing numerous outbreaks worldwide. We have developed two novel light-upon-extension (LUX) real-time PCR assays for detection and quantification of norovirus genogroups I and II. The LUX system uses a fluorophore attached to one primer having a self-quenching hairpin structure, making it cost-effective and specific. The assays were evaluated against clinical stool specimens (n = 103) from Sweden and Nicaragua and compared to established methods. The norovirus assay detected more positive stool specimens (47/103) than conventional PCR (39/103) and corresponded to a TaqMan real-time PCR, with the exception of one specimen. Furthermore, the assays correctly identified all (n = 11) coded control

SUBMITTER: Nordgren J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2224280 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature