Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories
BPHL has internally-validated (LDT) a qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) norovirus genotyping test.
Analyte(s)
Norovirus (NoV) genotype I (GI) and genotype II (GII)
Test Code
1830
Testing Location
Testing Department
Virology
Pre-approval Required?
Yes. Requires prior approval from regional epidemiology and notification to the testing lab. Contact the local county health department (CHD) to start the process for approval.
Required Forms
BPHL Test Requisition, DH1847
Include all required fields, who authorized the testing, onset date, collection date, travel history, and symptoms.
Turn around Time
3 – 5 business days after receipt at the laboratory.
Minimum Volume
Fill within fill line
Unsatisfactory specimen
1. Quantity not sufficient (QNS)
2. Specimen was not labeled with at least 2 unique patient identifiers
3. Information on specimen does not match requisition/test order
4. Specimen leaked in transit
5. Specimen was received out of the acceptable temperature range
Collection Media
Sterile container without media or preservative.
Specimen Sources
Stool or vomitus
Specimen Labeling
Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., name and DOB, and the date of collection.
The collection date and time if submitting multiple specimens
Information on the specimen must match the requisition and/or test order.
Special SPecimen Preparation
Notify BPHL.JacksonvilleVirology@FLHealth.gov or BPHL.TampaVirology@FLHealth.gov after you obtain approval that you are sending specimen(s) for testing.
Provide the tracking number if being shipped or estimated time of arrival for specimens that are couriered.
Storage Conditions
Store specimens at 2-8° C or frozen at less than or equal to -20° C until shipment.
Packaging and Shipping
Specimens must be shipped overnight at 2-8° C, or frozen on dry ice at less than or equal to -20° C. If you store the sample frozen, it must be shipped frozen to avoid a freeze thaw cycle.
You must select “Saturday delivery” on packages shipped on Friday.
Couriered samples must be transported in a cooler with frozen ice packs to arrive at the laboratory between 2-8° C. Laboratory staff will check the temperature of the cooler upon arrival before accepting specimens.
Interferences and Limitations
PCR inhibitors
Reference Range
No virus detected
Result Indicator
Norovirus genogroup detected
No virus detected
Reference lab
CDC, if needed
Reflex testing
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) or Sanger Sequencing
Sequencing is completed if norovirus is detected. Sequencing is for public health surveillance purposes only and does not have a guaranteed turnaround time.