AIMS: To investigate the presence of enteric viruses [hepatitis A (HAV) and norovirus (NoV)] in shellfish harvested from the deltaic area of the Po river in relation to environmental factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fortnightly sampling of shellfish was carried out in two lagoon areas (category B production areas) and one sea area (category A). Environmental parameters in the lagoon and hydrometric level of the tributary river were monitored throughout the sampling period. Samples (n = 120) were analysed for bacterial (E. coli and Salmonella) and viral (HAV and NoV) contamination; samples from category B areas were analysed before and after purification treatment. All the samples were negative for HAV whereas 10 samples (8.3%), all harvested in the lagoon areas, were positive for NoV. Sequencing identified the strains as genotypes II.4 and II.b. None of the samples was found to be contaminated after depuration. CONCLUSIONS: The monitoring showed a low frequency of NoV presence; viral contamination, detected exclusively in shellfish collected from the deltaic area (category B), could be influenced by the flow of the tributary river. The data collected are useful for the design of targeted prevention strategies and for the modulation of control plans after meteorological events.
AIMS: To investigate the presence of enteric viruses [hepatitis A (HAV) and norovirus (NoV)] in shellfish harvested from the deltaic area of the Po river in relation to environmental factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fortnightly sampling of shellfish was carried out in two lagoon areas (category B production areas) and one sea area (category A). Environmental parameters in the lagoon and hydrometric level of the tributary river were monitored throughout the sampling period. Samples (n = 120) were analysed for bacterial (E. coli and Salmonella) and viral (HAV and NoV) contamination; samples from category B areas were analysed before and after purification treatment. All the samples were negative for HAV whereas 10 samples (8.3%), all harvested in the lagoon areas, were positive for NoV. Sequencing identified the strains as genotypes II.4 and II.b. None of the samples was found to be contaminated after depuration. CONCLUSIONS: The monitoring showed a low frequency of NoV presence; viral contamination, detected exclusively in shellfish collected from the deltaic area (category B), could be influenced by the flow of the tributary river. The data collected are useful for the design of targeted prevention strategies and for the modulation of control plans after meteorological events.
Authors: James A Lowther; Nicole E Gustar; Andrew L Powell; Rachel E Hartnell; David N Lees Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2012-06-08 Impact factor: 4.792
Authors: Enrico Pavoni; Giuseppe Arcangeli; Elena Dalzini; Barbara Bertasi; Calogero Terregino; Francesco Montesi; Amedeo Manfrin; Elena Bertoli; Andrea Brutti; Giorgio Varisco; Marina Nadia Losio Journal: Food Environ Virol Date: 2014-10-25 Impact factor: 2.778
Authors: David Rodríguez-Lázaro; Nigel Cook; Franco M Ruggeri; Jane Sellwood; Abid Nasser; Maria Sao Jose Nascimento; Martin D'Agostino; Ricardo Santos; Juan Carlos Saiz; Artur Rzeżutka; Albert Bosch; Rosina Gironés; Annalaura Carducci; Michelle Muscillo; Katarina Kovač; Marta Diez-Valcarce; Apostolos Vantarakis; Carl-Henrik von Bonsdorff; Ana Maria de Roda Husman; Marta Hernández; Wim H M van der Poel Journal: FEMS Microbiol Rev Date: 2011-10-24 Impact factor: 16.408