Laboratory detection for an acute gastroenteritis outbreak caused by Norovirus and Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins

ObjectiveTo analyze the laboratory detection results for an acute gastroenteritis outbreak.

MethodsTaqMan real-time PCR was performed for the detections of Norovirus and 8 major bacteria pathogens by using the original 6 vomit samples collected from patients. PCR for the enterotoxin (SE) genes of Staphylococcus aureus was performed by using the S. aureu strains cultured in enriched vomit samples. ELISA was performed for the detection of SEs of 5 S. aureu strains, and PCR was used for SE gene detection and spa typing.

ResultsSix original vomit samples were collected in the outbreak. Among them, 5 were positive for Norovirus and 2 were positive and nuc gene of S. aureus in real-time PCR. Five enriched vomit samples were positive for nuc gene, among them, 4 and 1 were positive for seb gene and sea gene, respectively. Five S. aureus isolates were obtained from 5 enriched vomit samples of the patients, and were divided into 3 spa types (t701, t437 and t4209). There was a difference in SE gene detection of S. aureu between PCR and ELISA.

ConclusionLaboratory analysis indicated that this gastroenteritis outbreak may be caused by the infection of Norovirus plus effect of SEs of S. aureu.