Amplification by long RT-PCR of near full-length norovirus genomes

A long RT-PCR method was developed to amplify the norovirus genome. Starting from RNA extracted directly from clinical samples and using broadly reactive primers, it can generate near full-length amplicons that allow for easy determination of the near complete genomic sequence. Two norovirus isolates from Toronto, Canada, in 2002 and 2005 were sequenced. This approach will facilitate molecular epidemiology studies of noroviruses.