Oyster-associated gastroenteritis in Australia: the detection of Norwalk virus and its antibody by immune electron microscopy and radioimmunoassay

Following widespread outbreaks of oyster-associated gastroenteritis in Australia during 1978 in which Norwalk virus was implicated as the causative agent, collaborative studies were undertaken between laboratories in Australia and the United States to confirm the etiology. Immune electron microscopy (IEM) techniques were used in Australia and radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods in the United States. Norwalk virus was detected by IEM in seven of 15 faecal samples, and four were positive by RIA. A much better correlation was found with antibody determinations. Both methods demonstrated significant increases in antibody to Norwalk virus in 22 of 30 sets (73%) of "acute" and "convalescent" sera, confirming that Norwalk virus was responsible for the majority of cases. It is significant that the RIA serology was determined using Norwalk antigen originating in the United States and the IEM serology was determined using 27--30-nm particles originating in Australia.