UK – Primerdesign, a renowned provider of real-time PCR kits and reagents, has unveiled its latest innovation: the genesig Easy_oys Detection Kit for Norovirus in oysters.
This cutting-edge quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay offers a rapid and reliable method to detect genogroup (G)I and GII Norovirus pathogens in oyster tissue.
Designed to be user-friendly, the kit is an on-site solution that enables oyster farmers to identify contamination points across their production lines quickly. This reduces public health risks and minimises the potential for shellfish farm closures.
Primerdesign, oyster farmers, and the Shellfish Association of Great Britain collaborated on developing this detection kit. It provides an accessible and essential tool for assessing food safety risks, offering farmers greater confidence in the quality of their oysters.
David Jarrad, CEO of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, expressed his satisfaction with the launch, emphasising the industry’s need for such a solution due to the ongoing pollution of coastal waters.
He stated, “After many months of working closely with Shellfish Association of Great Britain members, I am delighted to see the hard work come to fruition with the launch of Primerdesign’s Norovirus testing workflow.”
The necessity for effective virus detection and quantification methods in bivalve shellfish has become increasingly urgent, particularly for managing potential outbreaks.
Currently, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in England and the Marine Institute in Ireland conduct limited tests due to resource constraints.
Dr Stephanie Anderson, Product Manager at Primerdesign, highlighted the industry’s challenges, noting that many farmers face pressure to test for Norovirus to prevent outbreaks.
However, the scarcity of approved commercial tests and limited accredited testing facilities in the UK often causes delays, posing a significant challenge to the industry.
The Genesis Easy_oys Norovirus kit stands out for its high sensitivity. It can detect GI and GII Norovirus pathogens down to 500 copies per gram of oyster tissue. This makes it an effective risk management tool, ensuring that oysters with a high infection risk are identified promptly.
The kit includes all necessary reagents for viral testing in compliance with ISO 15216 guidelines and is designed for use without laboratory experience.
The complete testing workflow—comprising the exsigMag extraction kit, the Genesis Easy_oys Norovirus kit, and the Genesis q16 instrument—delivers results within four hours, providing a swift and reliable solution for the industry.
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