Affiliation:
1. Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
Abstract
Male-specific (F) RNA bacteriophages have been proposed as indicators for human enteric viruses in shellfish. This study compared the use of Escherichia coli and FRNA bacteriophages to indicate the presence and level of noroviruses in Crassostrea gigas. A total of 167 samples from category A and B shellfish harvesting areas were analyzed for E. coli and FRNA bacteriophages by standard methods and for noroviruses (NoV) by using a previously described real-time PCR assay. FRNA bacteriophage and NoV levels in shellfish showed a seasonal trend and were elevated during the winter period (October through March). Conversely, E. coli levels did not reflect this seasonal trend. Categorizing samples on the basis of E. coli levels according to European Union regulatory limits failed to indicate the occurrence or level of NoV in shellfish. However, by grouping shellfish samples on the basis of FRNA bacteriophage levels a clear correlation was observed with NoV levels. The use of FRNA bacteriophages to predict the occurrence of NoV in shellfish could provide improved public health protection and should be considered when developing risk management procedures for shellfisheries.
Publisher
International Association for Food Protection
Subject
Microbiology,Food Science
Cited by
48 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献