Objective: To explore a convenient and effective method for norovirus nucleic acid extraction from oysters suitable for long-term viral surveillance.
Methods: Two methods, namely method A (glycine washing and polyethylene glycol precipitation of the virus followed by silica gel centrifugal column) and method B (protease K digestion followed by application of paramagnetic silicon) were compared for their performance in norovirus nucleic acid extraction from oysters. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect norovirus in naturally infected oysters and in oysters with induced infection.
Results: The two methods yielded comparable positive detection rates for the samples, but the recovery rate of the virus was higher with method B than with method A.
Conclusion: Method B is a more convenient and rapid method for norovirus nucleic acid extraction from oysters and suitable for long-term surveillance of norovirus.