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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Swab Sampling Method for the Detection of Human Norovirus on Surfaces
Published on: February 6, 2017
Frequency of Norovirus in stool samples from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms in Switzerland
R Fretz1, L Herrmann, A Christen
1Cantonal Laboratory Basel-Landschaft, 4410, Liestal, Switzerland.
Abstract:
To determine the frequency of sporadic community-acquired Norovirus (NV) infection in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, an evaluation of gastroenteritis cases seen in physicians' practices between July 2001 and July 2003 was conducted. A total of 699 stool specimens documented to be free of common bacterial pathogens was screened for the presence of NV by RT-PCR. NV was detected in 125 (17.9%) of these specimens. In the seasonal analysis, the highest rate of NV-positive samples (38.3%) was found between January and March 2002. After July 2002, the study was expanded to additionally test for NV in stool samples containing a known bacterial pathogen. Among 132 such specimens, NV was detected in only one. This suggests that NV mixed-infections are playing a marginal role in Switzerland.
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