Epidemiology of Hepatitis E in 2017 in Bavaria, Germany
AbstractIn the last decade, the number of reported hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in Germany, including Bavaria, has continued to rise. In order to identify risk factors associated with HEV infection, we investigated notified hepatitis E cases from Bavaria during 2017. The project “Intensified Hepatitis E Surveillance in Bavaria” included interviews with questionnaires, collection and genotyping of stool, serum and food samples. In addition, certain risk factors were examined in a sample comparison with healthy population using univariable analysis and logistic regression . In total, 135 hepatitis E cases from Bava...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - April 26, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Porcine Blood and Liver as Sporadic Sources of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in the Production Chain of Offal-Derived Foodstuffs in Poland
AbstractPig ’s blood and liver are valuable edible slaughter by-products which are also the major ingredients of offal-derived foodstuffs. The aim of the study was an evaluation of the occurrence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and porcine adenovirus (pAdV) as an index virus of faecal contamination in pig’s bloo d and liver for human consumption. In total, 246 samples of retail liver (n = 100) and pooled pig’s blood (n = 146) were analysed for the presence of HEV and pAdV. Blood samples were individually collected from 1432 pigs at slaughter age. Viral genomic material, including RNA of a sample process control...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - April 23, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Reduction of Norovirus Surrogates Alone and in Association with Bacteria on Leaf Lettuce and Tomatoes During Application of Aqueous Ozone
This study evaluated the efficacy of ozonated water on the inactivation of viruses, bacteria, and viruses in association with bacteria on produce surfaces. Boston bibb lettuce (BB) and cherry tomatoes were spot inoculated with viruses (murine norovirus (MNV) and MS2 bacteriophage), bacteria (Enterobacter cloacae andBacillus cereus), or MNV associated withE. cloacae orB. cereus. Following inoculation, produce was held at 4 °C for 90 min (virus, virus + bacteria) or 24 h (virus, bacteria) prior to treatment. A batch wash ozone sanitation system (BWOSS) was prepared with ice (3–5 °C) and 0.5 ppm initial ozone co...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - April 20, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Peracetic Acid Sanitation on Arugula Microgreens Contaminated with Surface-Attached and Internalized Tulane Virus and Rotavirus
In this study, we determined if the effectiveness of peracetic acid (PAA), a sanitizer used in the vegetable industry, is affected by the location of viruses (produce surface or interior tissue) in microgreen arugula. Either internally or externally contaminated hydroponically grown microgreen arugula was then treated with PAA at either 30 or 80 ppm for up to 3 min. The PAA disinfection efficacy was higher when the RV was on the arugula surface (approximately 5-log10 in PFU after 3 min of exposure), instead of the arugula interior (1.5-log10 in PFU after 3 min of exposure). However, PAA disinfection efficacy of TV w...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - April 19, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Novel Dicistroviruses in an Unexpected Wide Range of Invertebrates
In this study, we performed a systematic search against the publicly available transcriptome database, and identified large numbers of dicistrovirus-like sequences in a wide variety of eukaryotic species. The origins of these sequences were 108 invertebrates (including 77 insect species belonging to 18 orders) and 11 plants, revealing new associations between dicistroviruses and hosts. Finally, 83 transcripts corresponding to nearly-complete viral genomes were retrieved from the RNA-seq data, of which most sequences showed limited similarity to known dicistroviruses and might present previously unreported virus species. Ph...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - April 10, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Adhesion of Norovirus to Surfaces: Contribution of Thermodynamic and Molecular Properties Using Virus-Like Particles
According to this study, all the materials assessed are of low-energy and hydrophobic nature except GI.1 VLPs. Interfacial free energies of interaction were favorable for spontaneous adhesion (\({\Delta G}_{132}^{\mathrm{IF}}\)< 0) of all VLPs to the test materials, except for GI.1 VLPs to both stainless steel and straweberry. It is also found that norovirus adhesion is more sensitive to physicochemical conditions than to surface character itself. (Source: Food and Environmental Virology)
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - March 23, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Detection of Human Sapoviruses in Sewage in China by Next Generation Sequencing
AbstractHuman sapovirus (SaV) is an important causative agent of nonbacterial gastroenteritis in humans. However, little is known about its circulation in China. To study the prevalence and diversity of human SaV genotypes circulating in eastern China, a 3-year environmental surveillance combined with next generation sequencing (NGS) technology was conducted. A total of 36 raw sewage samples were collected from January 2017 to December 2019 in Jinan and processed. Thirty-five (97.22%) samples were positive for human SaV genome in quantitative RT-PCR assay; 33 (91.67%) samples were positive in nested RT-PCR assay on partial...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - March 23, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
The Foodborne Transmission of Hepatitis E Virus to Humans
AbstractGlobally, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes over 20 million cases worldwide. HEV is an emerging and endemic pathogen within economically developed countries, chiefly resulting from infections with genotype 3 (G3) HEV. G3 HEV is known to be a zoonotic pathogen, with a broad host range. The primary source of HEV within more economically developed countries is considered to be pigs, and consumption of pork products is a significant risk factor and known transmission route for the virus to humans. However, other foods have also been implicated in the transmission of HEV to humans. This review consolidates the information ...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - March 18, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Quantitative Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR to Evaluate Residual Quantity of HAV in Experimentally Depurated Mussels
AbstractKinetics of hepatitis A virus (HAV) accumulation and depuration from mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) was studied in an experimental depuration system. Different parameters likely to influence the rate of virus accumulation and elimination were evaluated. Analyses were carried out by both real-time RT-qPCR and digital PCR. Results demonstrated that the animals start to concentrate the virus already after one hour and reach the maximum level of contamination in 6 h of experiment. With respect to depuration, HAV showed a rapid reduction of the concentration (89%) during the first 24–48 h of experiment and a v...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - March 17, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Efficacy of Chlorine Dioxide Gas Against Hepatitis A Virus on Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, and Strawberries
AbstractSeeking a means of sanitizing berries, the effectiveness of steady state levels of gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) against hepatitis A virus (HAV) on laboratory-contaminated berries was determined. The generated ClO2 was maintained with 1 or 2 mg/l air inside a 269-l glove box to treat 50 g batches of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, and 100 g batches of strawberries that were immersion coated with HAV. Normalized data for ClO2 (ppm-h/g product) is reported as a function of ClO2 concentration, treatment time, and weight of treated product. Treatments of ClO2 ranging from 1.00 to 6.27 ppm-h/g berry ...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - March 10, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Human Enterovirus Diversity by Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis in Urban Sewage Samples From Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area, Argentina: A Retrospective Study
In this study, sewage samples collected in Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (Argentina) were retrospectively st udied through an amplicon-deep sequencing approach and phylogenetic analyses to characterize hEVs spread. We identified 17 different hEVs types belonging to A, B, and C species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in Buenos Aires for 7 identified hEV-C types. Phylogenetic analyses suggest several introductions of coxsackievirus B4, echovirus 1, and echovirus 9 in the country, along with the national spread reached by some variants. Besides, well-supported monophyletic groups of Argentine, Uruguay...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - March 6, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Norovirus Extraction from Frozen Raspberries Using Magnetic Silica Beads
AbstractHuman noroviruses (HuNoV) are among the main causes of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Frozen raspberries have been linked to several HuNoV food-related outbreaks. However, the extraction of HuNoV RNA from frozen raspberries remains challenging. Recovery yields are low, and real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-qPCR) inhibitors limit the sensitivity of the detection methodologies. A new approach using fine magnetic silica beads was developed for the extraction of HuNoV spiked on frozen raspberries. Relatively low recovery yields were observed with both the magnetic silica bead and the reference ISO ...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - March 2, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Evaluation of Norovirus Reduction in Environmentally Contaminated Pacific Oysters During Laboratory Controlled and Commercial Depuration
AbstractNorovirus contamination of oysters is the lead cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis and a significant food safety concern for the oyster industry. Here, norovirus reduction from Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas), contaminated in the marine environment, was studied in laboratory depuration trials and in two commercial settings. Norovirus concentrations were measured in oyster digestive tissue before, during and post-depuration using the ISO 15216-1 quantitative real-time RT-PCR method. Results of the laboratory-based studies demonstrate that statistically significant reductions of up to 74% of the initial norovi...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - March 2, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Spread and Genetic Diversity in Game Animals in Northern Italy
AbstractHepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E, an emerging public health infection which has an increasing incidence across Europe. Because of the apparent lack of species barriers, HEV was characterized as a zoonotic agent. Swine are recognized as the main reservoir, but HEV is also found in wild animals such as ungulates, lagomorphs, and bats. Our work aimed at detecting the HEV presence in wild fauna in two hunting areas of Northern Italy (Parma and Sondrio areas) with different environmental and anthropic characteristics to investigate its possible role as reservoir. Liver samples were collected...
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - February 25, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
Quantification and Trends of Rotavirus and Enterovirus in Untreated Sewage Using Reverse Transcription Droplet Digital PCR
This study provides useful data on RV and EV concentrations in untreated sewage in Kenya and the USA. It also highlights on the usefulness of the RT-ddPCR for absolute quantification of RV and EV in sewage samples. The BMFS using ViroCap filters while less efficient compared to the more tr aditional PEG precipitation method was able to recover RVs and EVs in untreated sewage and may be useful in poor resource settings while underestimating viruses by 1 to 1.5 logs. (Source: Food and Environmental Virology)
Source: Food and Environmental Virology - February 16, 2021 Category: Virology Source Type: research
