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Swab Sampling Method for the Detection of Human Norovirus on Surfaces
Published on: February 6, 2017
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Detection of Norovirus Using Paper-Based Cell-Free Systems
Kaiyue Wu1,2, Alexander A Green3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|January 5, 2022
Summary
A new paper-based assay detects norovirus, the leading cause of foodborne illness. This low-cost molecular diagnostic tool offers high sensitivity for tracking and containing outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Diagnostic Assays
- Public Health
Background:
- Norovirus is a major cause of foodborne illness and gastroenteritis globally.
- Existing diagnostic methods often require expensive equipment and are not easily deployable for outbreak surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a low-cost, sensitive, and specific molecular assay for norovirus detection.
- To create a portable diagnostic tool for rapid identification and containment of norovirus outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Utilized freeze-dried, thermostable cell-free transcription-translation reactions.
- Incorporated toehold switch riboregulators targeting the norovirus genome for colorimetric detection.
- Combined cell-free reactions with synbody-based viral enrichment and isothermal amplification.
Main Results:
- Successfully detected norovirus in low-cost paper-based reactions.
- Achieved detection limits as low as 270 zM in clinical samples.
- Demonstrated convenience and high sensitivity for norovirus diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Developed a promising paper-based diagnostic assay for norovirus.
- The assay is suitable for rapid, on-site detection and outbreak management.
- The platform can be adapted for detecting other human pathogens.
