Abstract
Bivalve shellfish are readily contaminated by human pathogens present in waters impacted by municipal sewage, and the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in feces of infected patients and in wastewater has drawn attention to the possible presence of the virus in bivalves. The aim of this study was to collect data on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in bivalve mollusks from harvesting areas of Campania region. A total of 179 samples were collected between September 2019 and April 2021 and were tested using droplet digital RT-PCR (dd RT-PCR) and real-time RT-PCR. Combining results obtained with different assays, SARS-CoV-2 presence was detected in 27/179 (15.1%) of samples. A median viral concentration of 1.1 × 102 and 1.4 × 102 g.c./g was obtained using either Orf1b nsp14 or RdRp/gene E, respectively. Positive results were unevenly distributed among harvesting areas and over time, positive samples being more frequent after January 2021. Partial sequencing of the spike region was achieved for five samples, one of which displaying mutations characteristic of the Alpha variant (lineage B.1.1.7). This study confirms that bivalve mollusks may bioaccumulate SARS-CoV-2 to detectable levels and that they may represent a valuable approach to track SARS-CoV-2 in water bodies and to monitor outbreak trends and viral diversity.
Highlights
A total of 179 samples were included in the monitoring: 150 samples were collected from bivalve mollusks farms sited in the Gulf of Naples (Campania region, Southern Italy), 3 were collected during operations of local health services to counter illegal harvesting, 2 samples—originating from Latina (Lazio, Italy) and Spain, respectively—were taken from fish shops in the city of Portici (Naples), and 24 samples were not traceable to specific production sites
Considering the samples originating from the coastal environment of Campania region, all the production areas included in the analysis of the present work were classified as class “B” according to Regulation (EU) 2019/675
The aim of the present study was the investigation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 presence in bivalve shellfish of Campania region, in order to ascertain virus prevalence and concentration and investigate the possible use of shellfish for monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2
Summary
The emergence and global spread of Severe-Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, poses an overwhelming challenge to health policies worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 is considered the third major coronavirus outbreak in the last 20 years, after Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle. East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) [1]. Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a group of enveloped viruses causing mainly respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections. Most patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) present respiratory symptoms, while 18% exhibit
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