Noroviruses (NoVs) are the major global source of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks. To detect NoVs, real-time reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays have been widely employed since the first decade of the 21 century. We developed a redesigned probe, JJV1PM, for RT-qPCR assay detection of NoV genogroup (G) I strains. The new RT-qPCR assay using the JJV1PM-probe showed broader strain reactivity for 10 NoV GI genotypes, while the old method, using the JJV1PT-probe assay, detected only 7 NoV GI genotypes in a validation panel using human fecal specimens. The improved RT-qPCR assay was also successfully applied to water samples. The JJV1PM-probe assay identified 7 NoV GI genotypes, whereas the JJV1PT-probe assay detected only 2 NoV GI genotypes from water samples. Notably, groundwater-borne NoV GI strains detected by the improved JJV1PM-probe assay were associated with groundwater-borne AGE outbreaks in South Korea. The results of this study underscore the importance of the evaluation of RT-qPCR assays using recently circulating NoV strains prior to field application.

Campylobacter jejuni is one of important food-borne pathogens causing human gastroenteritis. We isolated 42 strains of C. jejuni from diarrhea patients and 4 food-poisoning outbreaks in 2010, Gyeonggi-do. In this study, 42 strains were tested for genetic characteristics, the serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistant rate. The presence of hipO (100%), cdtB (100%), and mutated gyrA (