Abstract
Norovirus (NoV) is the main cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide. Although NoV spreads mainly from person to person, it is estimated that a large proportion of NoV outbreaks are caused by foodborne transmission. Bivalve mollusks are one of the most important foods involved in NoV transmission to humans. Little is known about NoV prevalence in shellfish harvested and commercialized in Brazil. The aim of this study was to map, for the first time, the distribution of NoV contamination in oysters and mussels harvested and commercialized in the coast of Pernambuco state, northeast Brazil. A total of 380 mollusks (260 oysters and 120 mussels) were collected between February and August 2017 either directly from harvesting areas or obtained from beach vendors at 17 sites in Pernambuco. Samples were processed and tested for NoV contamination using a SYBR Green real-time PCR assay. All samples were negative for NoV GI or GII contamination, suggesting a low risk of NoV contamination from this food source during the study period. Additional surveys in different areas of the Brazilian coast are warranted to monitor the risk of NoV infection upon seafood consumption.
Highlights
Norovirus (NoV) is the main cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide [1]
RNA was extracted from all these samples and kept at –80°C until real-time RT-PCR
This study was the first survey of the occurrence of NoV in bivalve mollusks harvested and commercialized in the coast of Pernambuco state, northeast Brazil
Summary
Norovirus (NoV) is the main cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide [1]. NoV infections result in nearly 685 million cases and 200,000 deaths, causing a significant economical impact [2,3]. In Brazil, the virus has become the most detectable viral pathogen in acute gastroenteritis since the introduction of a rotavirus vaccination, with a detection rate from 4 to 50% [4,5]. The Norovirus genus includes seven genogroups (GI–GVII) that infect different species. Human norovirus (HuNoVs) belongs to genogroups GI, GII, and GIV [7]. NoV can be transmitted by multiple routes, including person-to-person, through environment fomites, and contaminated water and food. The virus can persist for long periods in the environment and as few as 18 virus particles are able to establish an infection [8]
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