Development of enhanced primer sets for detection of Norovirus and Hepatitis A in food samples from Guayaquil (Ecuador) by reverse transcriptase-heminested PCR

Norovirus (NV) is an infectious biological agent that causes gastrointestinal problems of the original nonbacterial appearance foodborne illnesses. The genotype NV responsible for most frequent disease outbreaks GII, accounting 60–80% cases. Moreover, and new variants are continuously emerging, concurrent with recent global increase in infections. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) another pathogen frequently implicated acute gastroenteritis cases around world. transmitted among humans via fecal-oral route, infection by HAV severe form viral illness acquired from foods. In this study, we implemented primer sets to detect genotypes I II. We also developed detection HAV. primers were used a heminested reverse transcriptase PCR (hnRT-PCR) protocol was rapid sensitive detecting NVG1, NVGII food. hnRT-PCR applied successfully strawberries spinach obtained local fresh-food market, where could see NVGI, Keywords: Norovirus1; A2; gastroenteritis3; genotypes4; NVG15; NVGII6; hnRT-PCR7.