| dc.identifier | NASCIMENTO, Lilian Gonçalves do et al. Detection and Molecular Characterization of Enteric Viruses in Bivalve Mollusks Collected in Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Viruses, v. 14, 2359, p. 1 - 17, Oct. 2022. | |
| dc.description | Viral bivalve contamination is a recognized food safety hazard. Therefore, this study
investigated the detection rates, seasonality, quantification, and genetic diversity of enteric viruses in
bivalve samples (mussels and oysters). We collected 97 shellfish samples between March 2018 and
February 2020. The screening of samples by qPCR or RT-qPCR revealed the detection of norovirus
(42.3%), rotavirus A (RVA; 16.5%), human adenovirus (HAdV; 24.7%), and human bocavirus (HBoV;
13.4%). There was no detection of hepatitis A virus. In total, 58.8% of shellfish samples tested
positive for one or more viruses, with 42.1% of positive samples contaminated with two or more
viruses. Norovirus showed the highest median viral load (3.3 106 GC/g), followed by HAdV
(median of 3.5 104 GC/g), RVA (median of 1.5 103 GC/g), and HBoV (median of 1.3 103 GC/g).
Phylogenetic analysis revealed that norovirus strains belonged to genotype GII.12[P16], RVA to
genotype I2, HAdV to types -C2, -C5, and -F40, and HBoV to genotypes -1 and -2. Our results
demonstrate the viral contamination of bivalves, emphasizing the need for virological monitoring
programs to ensure the quality and safety of shellfish for human consumption and as a valuable
surveillance tool to monitor emerging viruses and novel variants.Viral bivalve contamination is a recognized food safety hazard. Therefore, this study
investigated the detection rates, seasonality, quantification, and genetic diversity of enteric viruses in
bivalve samples (mussels and oysters). We collected 97 shellfish samples between March 2018 and
February 2020. The screening of samples by qPCR or RT-qPCR revealed the detection of norovirus
(42.3%), rotavirus A (RVA; 16.5%), human adenovirus (HAdV; 24.7%), and human bocavirus (HBoV;
13.4%). There was no detection of hepatitis A virus. In total, 58.8% of shellfish samples tested
positive for one or more viruses, with 42.1% of positive samples contaminated with two or more
viruses. Norovirus showed the highest median viral load (3.3 106 GC/g), followed by HAdV
(median of 3.5 104 GC/g), RVA (median of 1.5 103 GC/g), and HBoV (median of 1.3 103 GC/g).
Phylogenetic analysis revealed that norovirus strains belonged to genotype GII.12[P16], RVA to
genotype I2, HAdV to types -C2, -C5, and -F40, and HBoV to genotypes -1 and -2. Our results
demonstrate the viral contamination of bivalves, emphasizing the need for virological monitoring
programs to ensure the quality and safety of shellfish for human consumption and as a valuable
surveillance tool to monitor emerging viruses and novel variants. | |
