Sensitive detection of norovirus using phage nanoparticle reporters in lateral-flow assay

PLoS One. 2015 May 15;10(5):e0126571. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126571. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Noroviruses are recognized worldwide as the principal cause of acute, non-bacterial gastroenteritis, resulting in 19-21 million cases of disease every year in the United States. Noroviruses have a very low infectious dose, a short incubation period, high resistance to traditional disinfection techniques and multiple modes of transmission, making early, point-of-care detection essential for controlling the spread of the disease. The traditional diagnostic tools, electron microscopy, RT-PCR and ELISA require sophisticated and expensive instrumentation, and are considered too laborious and slow to be useful during severe outbreaks. In this paper we describe the development of a new, rapid and sensitive lateral-flow assay using labeled phage particles for the detection of the prototypical norovirus GI.1 (Norwalk), with a limit of detection of 107 virus-like particles per mL, one hundred-fold lower than a conventional gold nanoparticle lateral-flow assay using the same antibody pair.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriophages / metabolism*
  • Biological Assay / methods*
  • Caliciviridae Infections / diagnosis*
  • Caliciviridae Infections / virology*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Gastroenteritis / diagnosis
  • Gastroenteritis / virology
  • Humans
  • Nanoparticles / metabolism*
  • Norovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • United States