ISO/AWI 21685

Water quality — Method for detection of Norovirus in water using RT-nested PCR

Scope

This document specifies the method for detection of norovirus in environmental water samples including groundwater, rivers, lakes, etc. This consists of concentration through a positively charged filter, elution, concentration by organic flocculation, ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction RT-PCR, and confirmation of PCR products. This document includes quality control methods for the process from RT-PCR to the confirmation of PCR products. Norovirus is a non-enveloped virus that belongs to the Caliciviridae family and has single stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) as its genome. It is typically transmitted through person-to-person contact or through contaminated water or food, following the typical fecal-oral route. It causes gastrointestinal diseases such as food poisoning. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting, and in severe cases, children or the elderly may die from dehydration. Therefore, monitoring norovirus in water is very important for investigating contamination status and establishing appropriate response plans for human health. Norovirus cannot be cultured. Therefore, the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is used worldwide.