Imported Shellfish and Human Viruses
Author Information
Author(s): Polo David, Vilariño M. Luz, Manso Carmen F., Romalde Jesús L.
Primary Institution: Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
Hypothesis
Imported shellfish from developing countries can be a vehicle for viral gastroenteritis and HAV infections in non-endemic areas.
Conclusion
The study found that a significant number of imported mollusk samples were contaminated with human enteric viruses.
Supporting Evidence
- Twenty (40%) of 50 samples were contaminated by more than one virus.
- NoV GI was most prevalent, detected in 24% of samples.
- Contamination levels for NoV GI ranged from 3.5 × 10^4 to 7.7 × 10^7 RNA copies/g digestive tissue.
- Six samples (30% of positive samples) were positive for more than one virus.
Takeaway
Some shellfish brought from other countries can carry germs that make people sick, even if those germs aren't usually found where the shellfish are sold.
Methodology
Fifty mollusk samples were analyzed for various viruses using real-time RT-PCR and standard RT-PCR methods.
Limitations
Determining the association of a viral infection with a particular contaminated product is complicated and time-consuming.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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