Evaluation of 4 immunochromatographic tests for rapid detection of norovirus in faecal samples

Background: The rapid detection of noroviruses is essential to implement measures to reduce the rapid spread of gastroenteritis infections they cause, notably in institutions. Objectives: To evaluate 4 rapid immunochromatographic tests: RIDA (R) QUICK Norovirus, ImmunoCardSTAT!(R) Norovirus, NOROTOP (R) and SD BIOLINE NOROVIRUS by determining their sensitivity and specificity on a large panel of samples representing 11 genotypes of norovirus genogroup I and 14 of genogroup II, and their cross-reactivity with other enteric viruses. Study design: Thawed stool samples containing norovirus genogroup I or II or other enteric viruses, and negative samples, were tested by the 4 assays and compared to the reference standard RT-PCR. Fresh stool samples were also tested by RIDA (R) QUICK. Results: The sensitivity of RIDA (R) QUICK, ImmunoCardSTAT!(R), NOROTOP (R) and SD BIOLINE for the detection of norovirus genogroup I on thawed samples was 17%, 26%, 52% and 23%, respectively. For genogroup II, the sensitivity was 64%, 39%, 50% and 54%, respectively. For GII.4, the main circulating genotype, the sensitivity was 78%, 59%, 61% and 67%, respectively. For all tests, the specificity was 100% and no cross-reactivity with other enteric viruses was observed. The sensitivity of RIDA (R) QUICK on fresh stool samples positive for GII.4 was 71%. Conclusions: Knowing that most gastroenteritis cases are due to GII.4, the immunochromatographic tests may be useful for preliminary screening, notably in outbreaks. However, negative samples need to be tested using RT-PCR methods. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.