Comparison of five commercially available immunochromatographic tests for the detection of norovirus in faecal specimens

K Vyas; C Atkinson; D A Clark; D Irish

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2015.06.013

Comparison of five commercially available immunochromatographic tests for the detection of norovirus in faecal specimens

J Hosp Infect. 2015 Oct;91(2):176-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2015.06.013. Epub 2015 Jul 8.

Authors

K Vyas¹, C Atkinson¹, D A Clark², D Irish³

Affiliations

¹ Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
² Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.
³ Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. Electronic address: dianne.irish@nhs.net.

PMID: 26253519
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2015.06.013

Abstract

Five CE-marked immunochromatography assay kits for the rapid detection of norovirus were compared with the reference method of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of acute norovirus infection. The sensitivity of the assays ranged between 23% and 59% with specificity being 75‒100% when compared with real-time PCR. The data suggest that a reactive immunochromatographic assay indicates norovirus infection. However, the sensitivity of the assay would need to be significantly improved to be suitable for routine diagnostic purposes or as an alternative to laboratory analysis for near-patient testing.

Keywords: Immunochromatographic assays; Near-patient testing; Norovirus; Real-time PCR; Sensitivity; Specificity.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

Antigens, Viral / analysis*
Caliciviridae Infections / diagnosis*
Caliciviridae Infections / virology
Chromatography, Affinity / methods*
Feces / virology*
Humans
Norovirus / chemistry*
Norovirus / isolation & purification
Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

Antigens, Viral