The Genesig Easy_oys Detection Kit Launched to Quantify Norovirus in Oyster

Primerdesign, a leader in real-time PCR kits and reagents, has introduced the genesig® Easy_oys Detection Kit for Norovirus in oysters. This quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay offers rapid and reliable detection of Norovirus GI and GII pathogens in oyster tissue. With a user-friendly workflow, the kit provides a cost-effective, on-site solution to identify contamination points across production lines, reducing public health risks and minimizing shellfish farm closures.

Norovirus, a major cause of viral gastroenteritis, is responsible for 16 percent of foodborne cases in the UK. Human sewage discharge near oyster beds leads to bioaccumulation of the virus in oysters, posing significant infection risks. Effective detection and quantification methods are essential for managing potential outbreaks and safeguarding food safety.

The genesig Easy_oys Norovirus kit meets this need by enabling detection of Norovirus GI and GII down to 500 copies/gram in oyster tissue. It includes all necessary reagents for testing in line with ISO 15216 guidelines, requiring no prior lab experience. The complete testing workflow, featuring the exsigMag extraction kit, genesig Easy_oys Norovirus kit, and genesig q16 instrument, delivers results within four hours.

Developed in collaboration with oyster farmers and the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, this kit empowers producers to assess food safety risks swiftly. Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Product Manager at Primerdesign, emphasizes the importance of this tool in preventing Norovirus outbreaks and ensuring farm operations continue smoothly.

David Jarrad, CEO of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, praises the collaboration and the kit's vital role in maintaining product safety. Oyster growers and industry leaders, like Gary Wordsworth of Othniel Oysters and Kerrie Ferguson of Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd, highlight the kit’s impact on ensuring product safety and the benefits of in-house testing capabilities.

By providing a rapid, specific, and user-friendly virus monitoring system, Primerdesign's genesig Easy_oys Norovirus kit offers the oyster industry a crucial tool for maintaining high standards of food safety from farm to plate.