o:8575 Detection of Norovirus from Berries in Serbia by Digital PCR and NGS en Human norovirus (HuNoV), a primary cause of foodborne illness, is frequently transmitted through contaminated berries. Serbia is a global producer of raspberries and other berries, yet data on HuNoV prevalence and genogroup diversity are limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, viral load, and genotypes of HuNoV circulating in raspberries and blackberries marketed in Serbia. A total of 450 berry samples were collected in 2023 from orchards, cold storage facilities, local markets, and roadside vending stands. Norovirus RNA was extracted using a modified ISO 15216-2 protocol. RT-qPCR positive samples were subsequently quantified by digital RT-PCR (RT-dPCR). Genotyping employed next-generation sequencing (NGS) of genome encoding major and minor capsid proteins, supplemented by Sanger sequencing. Nineteen samples (4.2%) tested positive for HuNoV, including four GI and fifteen GII strains, with higher prevalence in frozen (11.1%) than fresh berries (2.0%). Viral loads ranged from 34–105 gc/g for GI and 23–658 gc/g for GII, with medians of 72 and 153 gc/g, respectively. Genotypes GI.6, GII.2, GII.4, and GII.7 were identified, each represented by more than two sublineages and multiple introduction events detected by phylogenetic analysis. RT-dPCR provided precise quantification, while NGS enabled genotype characterization, together supporting enhanced surveillance, risk assessment, and management of norovirus contamination in berries destined for domestic and international markets. norovirus; berry; fruit; food safety; digital PCR; next generation sequencing 1552099 10.3390/foods14183257 2025-12-02T13:15:48.346Z 44 yes 46 Branko Velebit Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia Detection of Norovirus from Berries in Serbia by Digital PCR and NGS https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7577-8074 Vesna Janković Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia Detection of Norovirus from Berries in Serbia by Digital PCR and NGS person https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0095-1498 Marina Velebit Agrosava, 11070 Belgrade, Serbia Detection of Norovirus from Berries in Serbia by Digital PCR and NGS person Tamara Bošković Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, 11070 Belgrade, Serbia Detection of Norovirus from Berries in Serbia by Digital PCR and NGS person Milica Jovanović Department of Microbiology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Detection of Norovirus from Berries in Serbia by Digital PCR and NGS person Dapeng Wang School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China Detection of Norovirus from Berries in Serbia by Digital PCR and NGS person https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2015-0033 Dunja Mišić Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia Detection of Norovirus from Berries in Serbia by Digital PCR and NGS person https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2213-2612 application/pdf 2289133 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:8575 no yes 19 70 1552253 71A01 Foods 14 3257 MDPI 2025