Abstract: Objective To explore a convenient and effective method for norovirus nucleic acid extraction from oysters suitable
for long-term viral surveillance. Method Two methods, namely method A (glycine washing and polyethylene glycol
precipitation of the virus followed by silica gel centrifugal column) and method B (protease K digestion followed by
application of paramagnetic silicon) were compared for their performance in norovirus nucleic acid extraction from oysters.
Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect norovirus in naturally infected oysters and in oysters with induced infection. Results
The two methods yielded comparable positive detection rates for the samples, but the recovery rate of the virus was higher
with method B than with method A. Conclusion Method B is a more convenient and rapid method for norovirus nucleic acid
extraction from oysters and suitable for long-term surveillance of norovirus.