Development and Characterization of Synthetic Norovirus RNA for Use in Molecular Detection Methods

Eun Jung Cho, Younggil Cha, Su Kyung Lee, Han Sung Kim, Jae Seok Kim, Eun Jin Lee, Nuri Lee, Ki Ho Hong, Hee Jin Huh, Young Joo Cha, Hyun Soo Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Reference materials are essential for the quality assurance of molecular detection methods. We developed and characterized synthetic norovirus GI and GII RNA reference materials. Methods: Norovirus GI and GII RNA sequences including the ORF1-ORF2 junction region were designed based on 1,495 reported norovirus sequences and synthesized via plasmid preparation and in vitro transcription. The synthetic norovirus GI and GII RNAs were evaluated using six commercial norovirus detection kits used in Korea and subjected to homogeneity and stability analyses. A multicenter study involving five laboratories and using four commercial real-time PCR norovirus detection assays was conducted for synthetic norovirus RNA characterization and uncertainty measurements. Results: The synthetic norovirus GI and GII RNAs were positively detected using the six commercial norovirus detection kits and were homogeneous and stable for one year when stored at -20°C or -70°C. All data from the five laboratories were within a range of 1.0 log copies/μL difference for each RNA, and the overall mean concentrations for norovirus GI and GII RNAs were 7.90 log copies/μL and 6.96 log copies/μL, respectively. Conclusions: The synthetic norovirus GI and GII RNAs are adequate for quality control based on commercial molecular detection reagents for noroviruses with high sequence variability. The synthetic RNAs can be used as reference materials in norovirus molecular detection methods.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)38-44
Number of pages7
JournalAnnals of Laboratory Medicine
Volume43
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2023

Keywords

  • Characterization
  • Multicenter study
  • Noroviruses
  • RNA
  • Reference material
  • Uncertainty

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