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Primerdesign, a company specializing in the design, manufacture, validation, and supply of real-time PCR kits and reagents, has launched a new real-time PCR workflow for detecting norovirus in oysters.
This quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay allows for rapid and reliable detection of norovirus pathogens in oyster tissue, offering a user-friendly, cost-effective solution for on-site identification of contamination points across the production line. This innovation helps to mitigate public health risks and minimize the closure of shellfish farms.
The need for effective methods to detect and quantify viruses in bivalve shellfish is growing, as controlling and managing potential outbreaks is crucial. Norovirus, a leading cause of viral gastroenteritis, accounts for an estimated 16 percent of foodborne transmission cases in the UK. The contamination of oyster beds by sewage, a pressing issue given the current state of sewage dumping in the UK, is a significant risk factor for pathogen bioaccumulation in shellfish.
Currently, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science in England and the Marine Institute in the Republic of Ireland, the only ISO 15216-accredited laboratories for PCR quantification of norovirus in oysters in the British Isles, can only perform a limited number of tests for each grower due to resource constraints. This limitation endangers food safety and puts farms at risk of closure if a norovirus outbreak is traced to their oysters.
Primerdesign's newly launched kit addresses this challenge by making regular norovirus screening accessible for shellfish farmers nationwide. The kit includes all necessary reagents for viral testing in compliance with ISO 15216 guidelines and delivers results within four hours without requiring prior lab experience.
“Many farmers are under pressure to test for norovirus to prevent outbreaks and avoid potential closures. However, the scarcity of approved commercially available tests in the UK and the limited capacity of accredited testing facilities often lead to delays, posing a significant challenge to the industry,” said Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Primerdesign product manager, in a press release.
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