Primerdesign, a part of the Novacyt Group specializing in real-time PCR kits and reagents, has launched the genesig® Easy_oys Detection Kit for Norovirus in oysters. This quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay allows rapid and reliable detection of Norovirus genogroups (GI and GII) in oyster tissue, offering a user-friendly onsite workflow that is cost-effective. It helps identify contamination points in production lines, thereby reducing public health risks and minimizing shellfish farm closures.
Norovirus, a significant cause of viral gastroenteritis, often spreads through foodborne transmission, affecting around 16% of cases in the UK. The virus accumulates in oyster digestive glands due to human sewage discharge near oyster beds, with concentrations exceeding 500 genome copies/gram, posing serious health risks upon consumption.
There is a critical need for methods to detect and quantify viruses in bivalve shellfish to manage outbreaks effectively. Currently, only ISO 15216-accredited laboratories like Cefas in England and the Marine Institute in Ireland conduct limited Norovirus tests per grower due to resource constraints, jeopardizing food safety and potentially leading to farm closures during outbreaks linked to oysters.
The genesig Easy_oys Norovirus kit addresses these challenges with its qPCR assay optimized for detecting Norovirus GI and GII genomes in oyster tissue. It detects both genogroups down to 500 copies/gram, meeting ISO 15216 guidelines. The kit includes necessary reagents for viral testing, requiring no prior lab experience. The complete workflow, utilizing the exisgMag extraction kit, genesig Easy_oys Norovirus kit, and genesig q16 instrument, delivers results within four hours, ensuring timely risk assessment.
Developed in collaboration with oyster farmers and the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, the kit provides an accessible tool to assess food safety risks rapidly and enhance confidence in oyster quality from farm to table.
Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Product Manager at Primerdesign, highlighted the kit’s significance in helping farmers prevent outbreaks and subsequent closures due to Norovirus. She emphasized the industry’s challenges with limited testing options and accredited facilities in the UK, underscoring the kit’s role in providing a specific, rapid, and user-friendly virus monitoring solution.
For more information on Primerdesign’s genesig Easy_oys Detection Kit for Norovirus in oysters, visit: Primerdesign Norovirus Kit
Dr. Anderson will present on “New developments in Norovirus testing” at the Aquaculture Common Interests Group (ACIG) meeting in London, UK, on June 25, 2024.
Source: Food Standards Agency: Risk assessment to support guidance for norovirus outbreaks in oysters (October 2023)
