Detection of noroviruses in raspberries associated with a gastroenteritis outbreak

Int J Food Microbiol. 2004 Dec 15;97(2):179-86. doi: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2004.04.018.

Abstract

Following an acute foodborne gastroenteritis outbreak in southern Sweden, stool specimens from five of nine ill patients were found positive for norovirus using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Epidemiological data pointed to raspberry cakes as the source of the outbreak. Using a combination of generic and patient-specific primers and novel food analysis methodology (with extraction efficiency control and inhibitor removal), norovirus strains from two different genogroups were directly identified in the contaminated raspberries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Caliciviridae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Caliciviridae Infections / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Feces / virology
  • Food Contamination / analysis
  • Food Microbiology
  • Fruit / virology*
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology*
  • Gastroenteritis / virology
  • Humans
  • Norovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sweden / epidemiology