Poliovirus uptake into and excretion from oysters: a model experiment for elimination of Norwalk-like viruses from oysters

Abstract

Outbreaks of gastroenteritis caused by Norwalk-like viruses are often induced by the consumption of raw shellfish such as oysters. Incidences reach a peak during the cold season in Japan, when seawater temperatures fall below 10 degrees C. We investigated oysters' uptake and excretion of viruses, over varying lengths of exposure, monitoring the effects of changes in temperature and flow rate of seawater, and the presence of plankton. The study was performed using a poliovirus and an experimental circulatory system, which was framed on the same principle as a model practically used for the depuration of oysters. Polioviruses present in the seawater were taken rapidly into the midgut gland of oysters. However, virus levels detected in oysters at both 10 degrees C and 20 degrees C were decreased to approximately 1/1,000 to 1/10,000 within 6 hrs after the circulatory seawater was replaced by UV irradiated seawater. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the circulatory depuration system for the elimination of poliovirus from oysters, and indicate that controlling the temperature and flow rate of the circulatory system could decrease the risk of NLV infection.