We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

New Tool Detects and Destroys Norovirus

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 01 Apr 2015
Print article
Image: The iTC200 Isothermal Titration Calorimeter (MicroCal) (Photo courtesy of US National Institute of Health).
Image: The iTC200 Isothermal Titration Calorimeter (MicroCal) (Photo courtesy of US National Institute of Health).
Infection with highly contagious noroviruses, while not usually fatal, can lead to a slew of unpleasant symptoms such as excessive vomiting and diarrhea and current treatment options are limited to rehydration of the patient.

A "nanobody" called Nano-85 has been discovered that was able to bind to intact Norovirus-like particles (VLPs) in culture; nanobodies are very similar to antibodies, which recognize and bind to antigens and Nano-85 was able to recognize the VLPs from a variety of different Norovirus strains.

Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (Heidelberg, Germany) tested the nanobody on stool samples from patients infected with the virus. In order to determine the potential of Nano-85 as a detection reagent for clinical specimens, 30 stool specimens from patients presenting sporadic gastroenteritis were screened using a modified sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Twelve specimens were determined as GII.4 Norovirus positive using single-round reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) studies were performed using a MicroCal iTC-200 calorimeter (GE Healthcare, Wauwatosa, WI, USA). A technique called X-ray crystallography was used determine the shape and molecular components of the Nano-85/P domain complex, as well as specific sites where Nano-85 and the P domain formed bonds. The investigators found that the site where Nano-85 bound to the P domain was actually hidden under the viral particle's surface.

Nano-85 was able to detect virus in one-third of the samples already known to be positive for noroviral ribonucleic acid (RNA). Nano-85 could detect the current pandemic GII.4 Norovirus virions in clinical stool specimens from patients with sporadic gastroenteritis using a sandwich ELISA format, although the detection rate was low. On the other hand, most ELISA detection kits currently are used for screening outbreak specimens and have low detection rates with sporadic specimen.

Grant S. Hansman, PhD, the lead author of the study said, “If Nano-85 is indeed causing intact VLPs to disassemble, this could be a very promising lead in developing Norovirus antiviral therapy. This could be especially beneficial to immunosuppressed individuals such as cancer patients. Administering a vaccine to protect against infection would overwhelm the patient's immune system. However, if he or she has the option of receiving an antiviral to eliminate the infection, the Norovirus becomes much less dangerous.” The study was published in the March 2015 issue of the Journal of Virology.

Related Links:

German Cancer Research Center
GE Healthcare 

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Specimen Collection & Transport
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
Plasma Control
Plasma Control Level 1

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The cobas Malaria test is the first FDA-approved molecular test to screen U.S. blood donors for malaria (Photo courtesy of Roche)

First FDA-Approved Molecular Test to Screen Blood Donors for Malaria Could Improve Patient Safety

Malaria, a serious illness that often leads to death, is spread by a specific mosquito species that infect humans with a parasite. Other transmission modes include blood transfusions, organ transplants,... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The medical office procedure detects the key biomarker in Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative diseases (Photo courtesy of BIDMC)

Simple Skin Biopsy Test Detects Parkinson’s and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

Parkinson's disease and a group of related neurodegenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies impact millions globally. These conditions, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.