Abstract:
This study was carried out in Khartoum State during the
periods from August to September 2013. The study aimed to
detect
Norovirus
in
food
handlers
and
patients
with
gastroenteritis.
Stool specimens were collected in sterile wide-mouthed
containers.
The
RNA
was
extracted
from
each
stool
specimen using “Ribo-Sorb” extraction kits. The virus was
detected by RT-PCR kits.
A total of 50 stool specimens were collected. Among these,
10 were collected from food handlers, 30 from adult patients
and 10 from children patients.
The results revealed that only one (10%) of the food
handlers carried Norovirus, three (30%) of the children >5
years positive and two (6.6%) of the adults were also
positive for Norovirus.
It is concluded that Norovirus may be one of the causative
agents of gastroenteritis among symptomatic patients. Food
handlers are potentially source of Norovirus.
