The Prevalence of Enteric Viruses in Bivalve Molluscs in a Farming Area in Liguria, Northwest Italy
Bivalve molluscs are filter-feeding organisms, capable of concentrating pathogenic microorganisms from the surrounding environment, thus contributing to the spread of viral pathogens, which they can transmit to humans, especially if eaten raw or undercooked. Although norovirus (NoV) and the hepatiti...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Chiara Masotti Laura Serracca Erica Costa Barbara Betti Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano Elisabetta Suffredini Roberta Battistini |
| author_facet | Chiara Masotti Laura Serracca Erica Costa Barbara Betti Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano Elisabetta Suffredini Roberta Battistini |
| author_sort | Chiara Masotti |
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| description | Bivalve molluscs are filter-feeding organisms, capable of concentrating pathogenic microorganisms from the surrounding environment, thus contributing to the spread of viral pathogens, which they can transmit to humans, especially if eaten raw or undercooked. Although norovirus (NoV) and the hepatitis A virus (HAV) are considered the most common causes of foodborne infections, in recent years, other viruses with a zoonotic potential have been identified in shellfish, such as the hepatitis E virus (HEV), astrovirus (AsV), and aichi virus (AiV). The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of classical and emerging pathogenic enteric viruses in oysters (<i>Crassostrea gigas</i>) and mussels (<i>Mytilus galloprovincialis</i>) from a mollusc farming area in the northwest of Italy, between April 2022 and March 2023. In the period considered, a total of 168 samples (84 oysters and 84 mussels) were analysed. The prevalence of NoV was highest, with 32.7% (55/168) positive samples, followed by 18.4% (31/168) for AsV and 19.6% (33/168) for AiV. This study revealed, for the first time, the presence of AsV and AiV in molluscs farmed in this sea area. All the samples tested were negative for HAV and HEV. The emergence of new enteric viruses like AiV and AsV in bivalve molluscs underscores the importance of improving surveillance and environmental monitoring methods, particularly in shellfish production areas. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-00c5ed961c414fc89ecbcb82c1e18197 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
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| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-00c5ed961c414fc89ecbcb82c1e181972025-01-24T13:44:37ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172024-12-011412110.3390/pathogens14010021The Prevalence of Enteric Viruses in Bivalve Molluscs in a Farming Area in Liguria, Northwest ItalyChiara Masotti0Laura Serracca1Erica Costa2Barbara Betti3Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano4Elisabetta Suffredini5Roberta Battistini6Department of Levante Ligure, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via degli Stagnoni 96, 19100 La Spezia, ItalyDepartment of Levante Ligure, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via degli Stagnoni 96, 19100 La Spezia, ItalyLiguria Local Health Unit-ASL 5, Complex Unit of Hygiene of Foods and Animal Origin, 19122 La Spezia, ItalyLiguria Local Health Unit-ASL 5, Complex Unit of Hygiene of Foods and Animal Origin, 19122 La Spezia, ItalyDepartment of Epidemiology—Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, ItalyDepartment of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Levante Ligure, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via degli Stagnoni 96, 19100 La Spezia, ItalyBivalve molluscs are filter-feeding organisms, capable of concentrating pathogenic microorganisms from the surrounding environment, thus contributing to the spread of viral pathogens, which they can transmit to humans, especially if eaten raw or undercooked. Although norovirus (NoV) and the hepatitis A virus (HAV) are considered the most common causes of foodborne infections, in recent years, other viruses with a zoonotic potential have been identified in shellfish, such as the hepatitis E virus (HEV), astrovirus (AsV), and aichi virus (AiV). The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of classical and emerging pathogenic enteric viruses in oysters (<i>Crassostrea gigas</i>) and mussels (<i>Mytilus galloprovincialis</i>) from a mollusc farming area in the northwest of Italy, between April 2022 and March 2023. In the period considered, a total of 168 samples (84 oysters and 84 mussels) were analysed. The prevalence of NoV was highest, with 32.7% (55/168) positive samples, followed by 18.4% (31/168) for AsV and 19.6% (33/168) for AiV. This study revealed, for the first time, the presence of AsV and AiV in molluscs farmed in this sea area. All the samples tested were negative for HAV and HEV. The emergence of new enteric viruses like AiV and AsV in bivalve molluscs underscores the importance of improving surveillance and environmental monitoring methods, particularly in shellfish production areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/1/21food safetynorovirushepatitis E virushepatitis A virusastrovirusaichi virus |
| spellingShingle | Chiara Masotti Laura Serracca Erica Costa Barbara Betti Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano Elisabetta Suffredini Roberta Battistini The Prevalence of Enteric Viruses in Bivalve Molluscs in a Farming Area in Liguria, Northwest Italy Pathogens food safety norovirus hepatitis E virus hepatitis A virus astrovirus aichi virus |
| title | The Prevalence of Enteric Viruses in Bivalve Molluscs in a Farming Area in Liguria, Northwest Italy |
| title_full | The Prevalence of Enteric Viruses in Bivalve Molluscs in a Farming Area in Liguria, Northwest Italy |
| title_fullStr | The Prevalence of Enteric Viruses in Bivalve Molluscs in a Farming Area in Liguria, Northwest Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Prevalence of Enteric Viruses in Bivalve Molluscs in a Farming Area in Liguria, Northwest Italy |
| title_short | The Prevalence of Enteric Viruses in Bivalve Molluscs in a Farming Area in Liguria, Northwest Italy |
| title_sort | prevalence of enteric viruses in bivalve molluscs in a farming area in liguria northwest italy |
| topic | food safety norovirus hepatitis E virus hepatitis A virus astrovirus aichi virus |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/1/21 |
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