Research teams at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Baylor College of Medicine evaluated monoclonal antibodies that neutralize norovirus variants under laboratory conditions.  The antibodies were obtained from patients infected with norovirus.  Dr. James Crowe Jr.  Principal Investigator, noted, “We were surprised to find naturally occurring antibodies that recognized so many different noroviruses.”  He added, “Previously, many experts thought that this would not be possible because of the extreme sequence diversity in the various groups and types of noroviruses in circulation.”

The finding has more than academic value since it may lead to the development of a broad- spectrum norovirus vaccine. This product would be useful to protect food workers who are regarded as reservoirs of infection and responsible for transmission to diners and consumers.  Vaccination of cruise ship crews, workers in restaurants, day-care and elder home staff and hospital personnel would be beneficial in reducing seasonal occurrence of norovirus infection.