Whole genome sequencing of fecal samples as a tool for the diagnosis and genetic characterization of norovirus.

Background: Norovirus is a major cause of gastroenteritis, causing yearly epidemics and hospital outbreaks resulting in a high burden on health care. Detection and characterization of norovirus directly from clinical samples could provide a powerful tool in infection control and norovirus epidemiology.

Objectives: To determine whether next-generation sequencing directly on fecal samples can accurately detect and characterize norovirus.