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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Plaque Assay for Murine Norovirus
Published on: August 22, 2012
Prevalence of murine norovirus infection in Korean laboratory animal facilities
Jong Rhan Kim1, Seung Hyeok Seok, Dong Jae Kim
1Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
Currently, murine noroviruses (MNV) are the most prevalent viral pathogens identified in laboratory animal facilities. While several reports exist concerning the prevalence of MNV in North American research facilities, very few reports are available for other parts of the world, including Korea. This study evaluated the prevalence of MNV infection in 745 murine sera collected from 15 animal facilities in Korea by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive cases were subcategorized by murine strain/genetics, housing environments and animal sources. In summary, 6.6% of inbred/outbred mice purchased from commercial vendors were seropositive, 9.6% of in-house colonies were seropositive and 27.0% of genetically modified mice (GMM) were seropositive. Partial gene amplification of fecal isolates from infected animals showed that they were homologous (100%) with MNV-4.
Insights
Murine noroviruses (MNV) are common in lab mice. This study found MNV prevalence in Korean facilities, with genetically modified mice showing higher infection rates, homologous to MNV-4.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Murine noroviruses (MNV) are significant pathogens in laboratory mice.
- Limited data exists on MNV prevalence in Asian research facilities, particularly Korea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of MNV infection in Korean laboratory animal facilities.
- To identify risk factors associated with MNV infection, including mouse strain, housing, and source.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to screen 745 murine sera from 15 Korean animal facilities.
- Positive cases were analyzed based on murine strain/genetics, housing, and animal source.
- Fecal isolates from infected mice underwent partial gene amplification.
Main Results:
- Overall MNV seroprevalence was detected.
- Seropositivity rates varied: 6.6% in vendor-sourced inbred/outbred mice, 9.6% in in-house colonies, and 27.0% in genetically modified mice (GMM).
- Fecal isolate gene sequencing confirmed 100% homology with MNV-4.
Conclusions:
- MNV infection is present in Korean laboratory animal facilities.
- Genetically modified mice (GMM) exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of MNV infection.
- The identified MNV strains are homologous to MNV-4, indicating a specific viral lineage circulating in this region.
