Abstract

Hassan Momtaz,* Ebrahim Rahimi and Rahil Farzan

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Norwalk virus in marine foods samples in Isfahan and Shahrekord townships of Iran. From September 2010 to April 2011, a total of 300 samples of fresh fish, shrimp, crab and lobster samples were obtained from randomly selected retail stores in Isfahan and Shahrekord townships of Iran. The samples were tested for the presence of Norwalk virus using a Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method. In this study, out of the total of 300 samples examined, 46 (15.33%) were found to be positive for Norwalk virus. This virus was detected in 25, 8.33, 10 and 10% of fresh fish, shrimp, crab, and lobster samples, respectively. This study shows the importance of marine foods as potential sources of Norwalk virus infection in people in Iran.