Lack of Detection of Norwalk Virus in Saliva Samples From a Controlled Human Infection Model

Abstract

Following recent reports of norovirus replication in salivary gland cells, we examined whether the prototype norovirus strain, Norwalk virus (GI.1), could be detected in the saliva of 21 experimentally infected persons. Viral RNA was not detected in saliva 2 and 7 days after challenge despite high levels being present in feces.

Keywords: RT-qPCR; challenge; detection; norovirus; saliva.