Public HealthTesting For Norovirus And Enterovirus Is Becoming Increasingly Important And Commonplace
High profile outbreaks associated with the viruses have kept EMSL Analytical scientists busy.
Pollution of rivers and recreational waters by sewage and animal fecal waste has led to a number of high profile human gastrointestinal infections in recent years. Many of these same contaminants can be passed from human to human by direct contact with secretions from an infected person or by contacting contaminated surfaces.
Monitoring environmental microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses is an important method for the prevention of human diseases. Frequent outbreaks of the two viruses, enterovirus and norovirus; have caused particularly serious environmental health concerns in numerous high profile cases.
According to the CDC, "Noroviruses are highly contagious and as few as 10 viral particles may be sufficient to infect an individual." Enteroviruses are believed to cause between 30 and 50 million infections in the United States alone each year.
EMSL Analytical, a leading environmental testing laboratory, has been busy utilizing advanced PCR technologies to test environmental samples for the viruses. Advances in testing methods have produced several PCR-based methods that now do not require animal cultures for analysis, improving the analytical process.
"In the PCR-based rapid detection methods, virus particles in water samples are captured on aluminum chloride coated negative charged HA membranes," reported Charlie Li, Ph.D., PCR Laboratory Director at EMSL Analytical. "The viruses are then eluted out and concentrated using ultra-filtration. Viral RNA is then isolated from the eluted virus. Using a one-step reverse transcription real-time PCR, virus RNA are converted to DNA, then detected with a sensitive and specific real-time PCR."
Clearly, the tests provide an approach for rapid monitoring of the viruses and other additional human viral pathogens. To learn more about norovirus or enterovirus contact EMSL Analytical at 800-220-3675 or visit http://www.EMSL.com.
EMSL Analytical, Inc.