Comparison of Swab Sampling Methods for Norovirus Recovery on Surfaces
AbstractHuman noroviruses (HuNoVs) can be easily transferred by the contacts of humans or fomites. Swab sampling methods are widely used for recovering HuNoVs from small surfaces of various fomites or hard-to-reach locations and swab sampling conditions are important for the accurate detection of HuNoVs, which have a low infectious dose and relatively long persistence under a range of environmental conditions. Therefore, to determine the suitable swab sampling method for recovering HuNoVs from various surfaces, we evaluated combinations of four swab materials (cotton, microdenier polyester [a type of microfiber], polyureth...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - August 9, 2018 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Molecular Detection of Indigenous Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) from Tibetan Pigs in Tibet, China
AbstractHepatitis E is an important public health concern throughout the world. Many molecular and serological surveys have reported the prevalence and genotypic characteristics of HEV in humans and animals worldwide. However, the genotypic characterization of this virus is very limited in Tibetan pigs. Hence, we aimed to explore the genotype of HEV, prevailing among Tibetan pigs in China. For this purpose, 253 bile samples of Tibetan pigs (free-range animals) were collected from different slaughterhouses during 2017 –2018 and subsequently tested for HEV RNA by RT-nPCR. A total of 11 out of 253 (4.35%) samples tested wer...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - July 26, 2018 Category: Virology Source Type: research
An Environmental Surveillance in Uruguay Reveals the Presence of Highly Divergent Types of Human Enterovirus Species C and a High Frequency of Species A and B Types
AbstractInformation about Human Enterovirus circulation in Uruguay is scarce. The aim of this study was to generate the first description about their circulation in the country through the study of sewage samples collected before and after the switch from Oral Poliovirus Vaccine to Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine. Viruses were concentrated by an adsorption –elution to a negatively charged membrane, and real-time quantitative PCR and qualitative PCR methods were used to detect, quantify, and characterize enteroviruses. Positive samples were inoculated in RD cells and two passages were performed. Additionally, RD+ samples w...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - June 16, 2018 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Poliovirus and Other Enteroviruses from Environmental Surveillance in Italy, 2009 –2015
AbstractWithin the initiatives for poliomyelitis eradication by WHO, Italy activated an environmental surveillance (ES) in 2005. ES complements clinical Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance for possible polio cases, detects poliovirus circulation in environmental sewage, and is used to monitor transmission in communities. In addition to polioviruses, the analyses comprised: (i) the monitoring of the presence of non-polio enteroviruses in sewage samples and (ii) the temporal and geographical distribution of the detected viruses. From 2009 to 2015, 2880 sewage samples were collected from eight cities participating in t...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - June 12, 2018 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Effect of the Shellfish Proteinase K Digestion Method on Norovirus Capsid Integrity
AbstractNorovirus outbreaks are associated with the consumption of contaminated shellfish, and so efficient methods to recover and detect infectious norovirus in shellfish are important. The Proteinase K digestion method used to recover norovirus from shellfish, as described in the ISO 15216, would be a good candidate but its impact on the virus capsid integrity and thus infectivity was never examined. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Proteinase K digestion method, and of the heat treatment component of the method alone, on norovirus (genogroups I and II) and MS2 bacteriophage capsid integrity. A sligh...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - June 1, 2018 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Correction to: Genetic Diversity Among Genogroup II Noroviruses and Progressive Emergence of GII.17 in Wastewaters in Italy (2011 –2016) Revealed by Next-Generation and Sanger Sequencing
The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The presentation of Table 1 was incorrect. The corrected table is given below. The original article has been corrected. (Source: Food and Environmental Virology)
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - June 1, 2018 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Persistence of Hepatitis A Virus in Fresh Produce and Production Environments, and the Effect of Disinfection Procedures: A Review
AbstractAlthough information is limited, it is evident that prolonged persistence of infectious Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a factor in the transmission of the virus via fresh produce. Consequently, data on persistence of the virus on produce, and in environments relevant to production, such as soils, water and surfaces, are required to fully understand the dynamics of transmission of HAV via foods. Furthermore, information on effective disinfection procedures is necessary to implement effective post-harvest control measures. This review summarises current information on HAV persistence in fresh produce and on relevant disi...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - May 14, 2018 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Detection of Pathogenic Viruses in the Ambient Air in Seoul, Korea
AbstractThe possible transport of pathogenic microorganisms during Asian dust events could be an important concern for health workers; however, this is still uncertain owing to a lack of supporting evidence. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in air samples collected during the Asian and non-Asian dust periods. Between March and September 2016, air samples were collected at three weather observation stations in Seoul using a high-volume air sampler. Multiplex PCR was performed using the Allplex ™ respiratory and gastrointestinal panel assay kits to detect 46 microorganisms. R...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - May 14, 2018 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Successful Use of Advertisement Pictures to Assist Recall in a Food-Borne Hepatitis A Outbreak in The Netherlands, 2017
This study describes an outbreak investigation of 14 hepatitis A cases in the Netherlands. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) genotype IB sequences in cases were highly similar (459/460 nt). The origin of strains could be narrowed to Bulgaria based on information from EPIS-FWD. As an association with consumption of soft fruit was suspected, a case–control study was initiated using a questionnaire and a list of pictures of soft fruit available at the supermarket chain involved. Twelve out of 13 cases consumed a specific frozen raspberry/blueberry product shown on the list (OR 46.0, 95% CI 5.0–27). In multivariable regression...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - May 4, 2018 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Correction to: Genetic Diversity Among Genogroup II Noroviruses and Progressive Emergence of GII.17 in Wastewaters in Italy (2011 –2016) Revealed by Next-Generation and Sanger Sequencing
The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The presentation of Table 1 was incorrect. The corrected table is given below. The original article has been corrected. (Source: Food and Environmental Virology)
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - May 4, 2018 Category: Virology Source Type: research
