Quantitative norovirus viral load is not affected by home storage of stool

In preparation of a clinical trial of norovirus treatment, there were concerns raised by FDA about risk of self‐storage of stool from patients infected with norovirus affecting quantitative assessments of norovirus RNA. Specifically, most home freezers are frost‐free and may expose the samples to multiple rounds of freeze‐thaw. Stool samples collected by the study team were stored at different lengths in a frost‐free freezer and at −80°C. Quantitative PCRs of norovirus were performed on all samples using the same assay. By all measures, there was no significant change in measured viral load with home storage. [Image: see text]