Sample preparation prior to molecular amplification: complexities and opportunities.
Molecular amplification using Reverse Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) is currently considered as the gold standard to detect enteric human pathogenic viruses such as norovirus and hepatitis A virus in food and water. However, the molecular-based detection requires an adequate sampling strategy and a sample preparation specific for viruses. Sampling for enteric human viruses in water and food should not necessarily follow bacterial sampling plans. The development of a reference detection method including sample preparation as proposed in ISO/TS 15216 represents a milestone to facilitate the evaluation of the performance and eventually validation of future virus detection methods. The potential viral infectivity linked to a positive PCR result is a remaining issue and pretreatments allowing the differentiation of infectious viruses would be useful for future risk assessments.
Food Safety and Quality Competence Pillar, Nestlé Research Centre, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, Box 44, 1000 Lausanne 26, Switzerland. Electronic address: sophie.butot@rdls.nestle.com.
Sophie
S
Butot
Food Safety and Quality Competence Pillar, Nestlé Research Centre, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, Box 44, 1000 Lausanne 26, Switzerland.
Sophie
S
Zuber
Food Safety and Quality Competence Pillar, Nestlé Research Centre, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, Box 44, 1000 Lausanne 26, Switzerland.
Leen
L
Baert
D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*; D014780:Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014871:Water Microbiology