Key result
Molecular methods for detecting gastrointestinal viruses offer increased sensitivity over traditional methods, though viral diversity and recombination pose ongoing challenges for assay development.
Molecular methods improve the detection of viral gastroenteritis agents compared to traditional assays, though viral diversity remains a challenge.
May support molecular testing for viral gastroenteritis in clinical labs; leaves open assay standardization amid viral recombination.
Norovirus, Sapovirus and Astrovirus are causative agents of viral gastroenteritis affecting all age groups, but most frequently the young, the elderly and persons in semi-closed communities such as hospitals, nursing homes, military bases and cruise ships. The sensitive and rapid detection of causative agents of viral gastroenteritis is key to the effective implementation of infection control systems. Traditional detection methods such as electron microscopy and antigen detection assays lack sensitivity. The detection of gastrointestinal viruses by molecular methods has resulted in increased levels of detection, and enables the epidemiological investigation of viral strains. The significant diversity of gastrointestinal viruses, in particular Norovirus and Sapovirus, are compounded by increasing reports of virus recombination, and pose an ongoing challenge to the development of sensitive and specific molecular detection assays.
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Logan et al. (2007) conducted a review in Viral gastroenteritis. Molecular detection methods vs. Traditional detection methods (electron microscopy and antigen detection) was evaluated. Molecular methods for detecting gastrointestinal viruses offer increased sensitivity over traditional methods, though viral diversity and recombination pose ongoing challenges for assay development.
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