Immunomagnetic separation combined with real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assays for detection of norovirus in contaminated food

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2008 Jul;74(13):4226-30. doi: 10.1128/AEM.00013-08. Epub 2008 Apr 25.

Abstract

We developed an immunomagnetic separation (IMS) technique combined with real-time TaqMan reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), which allowed detection of norovirus at a level as low as 3 to 7 RT-PCR units from artificially contaminated strawberries. The inoculum recovery rate ranged from 14 to 30%. The data demonstrate that IMS combined with real-time RT-PCR will be useful as a rapid and sensitive method for detecting food-borne microbial contaminants.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Food Contamination*
  • Fragaria / microbiology*
  • Immunomagnetic Separation / methods*
  • Norovirus / genetics
  • Norovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Taq Polymerase
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Taq Polymerase