Test Directory

• Norovirus 1, PCR
• Norovirus 2, PCR

Diagnosing gastrointestinal disease (diarrhea or voimiting) caused by norovirus genogroups 1 and 2. This test should not be used as a test-of-cure.

Specimen Type: Stool

Collection Container: Para-Pak Culture and Sensitivity Media, Cary-Blair

Desired Specimen Volume: 1 g

Stool must remain at room temperature. Do not store refrigerated of frozen.

1. Collect stool in a plastic sterile container.

1. Transfer 1g of stool to a Para-Pak Culture and Sensitivity Media vial within 1 hour of collection.
2. Visibly formed feces are not consistent with Norovirus gastrointestinal disease and should not be submitted for testing.

Transport to the laboratory at room temperature.  

• Nonpreserved feces
• Transport media other than Cary-Blair or C and S,
• Modified Cary-Blair
• Visibly formed feces.

 See patient report.

A positive result suggests that norovirus is the cause of gastrointestinal disease (diarrhea or vomiting); however, in certain patients (eg, immunocompromised hosts), norovirus may be shed for weeks to months in the absence of symptoms.

This test should not be used as a test-of-cure, due to the fact that norovirus nucleic acid may be detected in patients for weeks to months following the resolution of symptoms.(2)

A negative result suggests that norovirus is not the cause of gastrointestinal disease (diarrhea or vomiting); however, viral nucleic acid may be present at a level that is below the limit of detection for this test. The results should be interpreted in the context of the patient's clinical presentation and other laboratory findings.

 Norwalk Virus