Abstract: Objective To find a quick and efficient method to detect norovirus(NV) by comparing different approaches using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and transcription reverse transcription concerted(TRC). Methods From February to March 2007, the fecal specimens were collected from 364 sporadic cases of acute viral gastroenteritis in Beijing area. RT-PCR and TRC were used to detect human NVs in stool specimens; RT-PCR was performed to evaluate the results by TRC and analyzed the sensitivity and specificity of results by TRC. The consistency of TCR was evaluated with RT-PCR by kappa test. Results A total of 160 positive cases were detected by TRC out of 364 stool specimens collected from infants and young children or adults with acute viral diarrhea, and NV positive rate was 43.96%, among which 3.85%(14/364) were identified as infection by NV GGI and 40.11%(146/364) as infection with NVs GGⅡ. In positive cases, 78.58% NVs GGI and 89.73% NVs GGⅡ were confirmed within 20 minutes. Men and women had no significant difference in the percentage of HuCV infection. The highest positive rate(63.63%) was found in group aged from 50 to 59. The lowest positive rate(18.93%) was found in the group aged from 10 to 19. No significant difference was seen among age groups except for the group aged from 10 to 19. Conclusion By comparing with RT-PCR, TRC presented a good sensitiveness and specificity which seem to be more convenient and time saving, indicating a good broader application.

Key words: noroviruse, transcription reverse transcriptionconcerted, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction