Evaluation of a rapid test kit for noroviruses of different genotypes

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of a rapid immunochromatographic test kit for noroviruses of different genotypes in fecal specimens. Methods Between April 2011 and May 2015, 101 norovirus-positive fecal specimens were collected from patients with diarrhea. Noroviruses of genogroup Ⅰ(GⅠ) orⅡ (GⅡ) were detected using the real time RT-PCR. The capsid genes of noroviruses were amplified using the RT-PCR, and genotypes were identified through the phylogenetic analysis. The results of real-time RT-PCR and genotyping were employed as the reference, then the rapid immunochromatography test kit (RIDA® QUICK Norovirus) was evaluated. Results Among 101 specimens, 8 strains of GI and 93 strains of GⅡ were identified by real time RT-PCR, whereas 1 strains of GI and 57 strains of GⅡwere identified by RIDA® QUICK Norovirus, with the coincidence rate of 57.4%. RIDA® QUICK Norovirus could detect GI.9, GⅡ.3, GⅡ.4, GⅡ.6, GⅡ7, GⅡ.13, GⅡ.17, GⅡ.21 and GⅡ.N, and it failed to detect GI.2, GI.6, GI.N and GⅡ.2. The detection rates for GⅡ.4 strains and new GⅡ.17 variants were 77.8% (28/36) and 38.1% (8/21) respectively. Conclusion This assay was effective for common GII noroviruses, but less reliable for new GⅡ.17 variants. Key words: Norovirus; Immunochromatography; Rapid detection; Genotype