A semi-nested RT-PCR assay for detection of norovirus in rat fecal samples

Abstract

Norovirus is a highly prevalent pathogen that can infect a wide range of host species. Thus far, there have only been two reports of norovirus infection in rats. Diagnostic assays for the detection of norovirus are well established, but a specific molecular assay for the diagnosis of norovirus infection in laboratory rats has not yet been reported. In this study, we describe the development of a sensitive, semi-nested RT-PCR assay for detection of norovirus in fecal samples from Rattus norvegicus, reared in animal facilities under different sanitary barrier conditions. Additionally, we describe the first report of the presence of norovirus in rat colonies from Brazilian animal facilities.

Genome characterization, prevalence and tissue distribution of astrovirus, hepevirus and norovirus among wild and laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) and mice (Mus musculus) in Hungary

“…This VF1 is also present in the rat norovirus sequences. Based on the current phylogenetics of GV noroviruses, it is divided into two subgroups, murine and rat noroviruses, and currently these groups show host species specificity [Moreira et al, 2019].…”

“…al., 2009;Tonetti et al, 2013;Firth et. al., 2014;Chagas et al, 2017;Clement et al, 2019;Moreira et al, 2019], and this list can be expanded based on the results of viral metagenomics based viral identification and discovery [Sachsenröder et al, 2014;Hansen et al, 2016;Boros et al, 2019]. However, despite advanced molecular techniques, we only know a small fraction of the viral diversity around us making us vulnerable to zoonotic outbreaks (Daszak et al, 2020).…”

Effects of Intra-Abdominal Pressure in Rat Lung Tissue After Pneumoperitoneum

“…Neste estudo, o isolamento do vírus em células permissivas RAW264.7 e o desenvolvimento de um semi-nested RT-PCR, permitiu o diagnóstico de Norovírus e a implantação de uma rotina de monitoramento sanitário para este agente. A prevalência viral obtida pelo semi-nested RT-PCR e pela sorologia, foi de 11% e 11,45%, respectivamente em colônias de ratos mantidos em biotérios brasileiros (65) .…”