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Antonopoulou N, Schinas G, Kotsiri Z, Tsachouridou O, Protopapas K, Petrakis V, Petrakis EC, Papageorgiou D, Tzimotoudis D, Metallidis S, Papadopoulos A, Marangos M, Barbounakis E, Kofteridis DP, Panagopoulos P, Gogos C, Vantarakis A, Akinosoglou K. Testing Hepatitis E Seroprevalence among HIV-Infected Patients in Greece: The SHIP Study. Pathogens 2024; 13:536. [PMID: 39057763 PMCID: PMC11280285 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13070536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) poses significant health concerns worldwide, particularly among people living with HIV (PLWHIV), due to an increased risk of chronic infection and progression to cirrhosis in individuals with low CD4 cell counts. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, chronicity potential, and risk factors of HEV infection among PLWHIV in Greece, where data are currently absent. A synchronic multicentric study encompassing five major Greek university hospitals was executed over 24 months, recruiting 696 PLWHIV participants. The prevalence of HEV IgG antibodies was 16.5%, with 8.6% showing evidence of acute HEV infection (HEV IgM). Active viral replication (HEV RNA) was present in 2.3% of the study population. Longitudinal analysis revealed that of the 25 initially anti-HEV IgM-positive individuals, only 3 seroconverted to IgG positivity, and among those with prior HEV RNA positivity (16), none showed evidence of active replication in subsequent tests. Comparative subgroup analysis highlighted the lack of significant differences in HIV-related parameters between HEV seropositive and seronegative individuals. Laboratory evaluations generally showed no significant disparities across most parameters; however, a higher seropositivity for Hepatitis A was observed in the HEV-positive subgroup. Our findings highlight a considerable prevalence of HEV among PLWHIV in Greece, with no observed cases of chronicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolina Antonopoulou
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (N.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Georgios Schinas
- School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (G.S.); (D.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Zoi Kotsiri
- Department of Public Health, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (Z.K.); (D.T.); (A.V.)
| | - Olga Tsachouridou
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (O.T.); (S.M.)
| | - Konstantinos Protopapas
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece; (K.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Vasileios Petrakis
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (V.P.); (P.P.)
| | - Emmanouil C. Petrakis
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete, 71500 Heraklion, Greece; (E.C.P.); (E.B.); (D.P.K.)
| | - Despoina Papageorgiou
- School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (G.S.); (D.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Dimosthenis Tzimotoudis
- Department of Public Health, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (Z.K.); (D.T.); (A.V.)
| | - Simeon Metallidis
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (O.T.); (S.M.)
| | - Antonios Papadopoulos
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece; (K.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Markos Marangos
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (N.A.); (M.M.)
- School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (G.S.); (D.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Emmanouil Barbounakis
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete, 71500 Heraklion, Greece; (E.C.P.); (E.B.); (D.P.K.)
| | - Diamantis P. Kofteridis
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete, 71500 Heraklion, Greece; (E.C.P.); (E.B.); (D.P.K.)
| | - Periklis Panagopoulos
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (V.P.); (P.P.)
| | - Charalambos Gogos
- School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (G.S.); (D.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Apostolos Vantarakis
- Department of Public Health, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (Z.K.); (D.T.); (A.V.)
| | - Karolina Akinosoglou
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (N.A.); (M.M.)
- School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (G.S.); (D.P.); (C.G.)
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Plante D, Barrera JAB, Lord M, Harlow J, Iugovaz I, Nasheri N. Examining the efficiency of porcine gastric mucin-coated magnetic beads in extraction of noroviruses from frozen berries. Food Microbiol 2024; 120:104461. [PMID: 38431316 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2023.104461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Human norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide. Due to the low infectious dose of noroviruses, sensitive methodologies are required to detect and characterize small numbers of viral particles that are found in contaminated foods. The ISO 15216 method, which is internationally recognized for detection of foodborne viruses from high-risk food commodities, is based on viral precipitation, followed by RNA extraction and identification of the viral genome by RT-PCR. Although the ISO 15216 method is efficient, it is time consuming and tedious, does not report on the viral infectivity, and is sensitive to the presence of RT-PCR inhibitors. Norovirus capture by the porcine gastric mucin conjugated magnetic beads (PGM-MB) was developed as an alternative virus recovery method. It relies on the integrity of the viral capsid being able to bind to PGM. PGM contains a variety of histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) that act as norovirus receptors. Therefore, the PGM-MB method allows for extraction of noroviruses, with potentially intact viral capsids, from complex food matrices. The viral genome can then be released through heat-shock of the captured virus. For this reason, we performed a parallel comparison between the ISO 15216 method and the PGM-MB method in isolation and quantification of noroviruses from frozen raspberries. We have demonstrated that the efficiency of the PGM-MB method in extraction of murine norovirus (MNV) and human norovirus GII.4 from raspberries is equal or better than the ISO 15216 method, while the PGM-MB has fewer steps and shorter turnaround time. Moreover, the PGM-MB method is more efficient in removing the inhibitors prior to RT-PCR analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Plante
- Microbiology Laboratory, Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch, Health Canada, 1001 St-Laurent Street West, Longueuil, QC, J4K 1C7, Canada
| | - Julio Alexander Bran Barrera
- Microbiology Laboratory, Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch, Health Canada, 1001 St-Laurent Street West, Longueuil, QC, J4K 1C7, Canada
| | - Maude Lord
- Microbiology Laboratory, Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch, Health Canada, 1001 St-Laurent Street West, Longueuil, QC, J4K 1C7, Canada
| | - Jennifer Harlow
- National Food Virology Reference Centre, Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Irène Iugovaz
- Microbiology Laboratory, Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch, Health Canada, 1001 St-Laurent Street West, Longueuil, QC, J4K 1C7, Canada
| | - Neda Nasheri
- National Food Virology Reference Centre, Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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Summa M, Tuutti E, Al-Hello H, Huttunen LM, Rimhanen-Finne R. Norovirus GII.17 Caused Five Outbreaks Linked to Frozen Domestic Bilberries in Finland, 2019. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2024; 16:180-187. [PMID: 38466479 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-024-09587-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
In March 2019, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and Finnish Food Authority started an outbreak investigation after a notification of food business operators' recall of frozen bilberries due to a norovirus finding. A retrospective search was conducted in the food and waterborne outbreak notification system to identify the notifications linked to norovirus and consumption of bilberries in January-March 2019. Five outbreaks were found in which norovirus GII or GII.17 had been detected in patient samples. A pooled retrospective cohort study was performed for those four in which a questionnaire study had been done. A case was defined as a person with diarrhoea or vomiting within 2 days after consuming a meal studied at one of the outbreak locations. Of 79 participants, 45 (57%) cases were identified. Persons that had consumed foods containing unheated bilberries were three times more likely to get ill than those who had not consumed them (RR 3.1, CI 95% 1.2-8.1, p = 0.02). Norovirus GII.17 was found in 16/17 patient samples sent for further typing. Identical norovirus GII.17 was detected in frozen Finnish bilberries and patient samples. At the berry packaging premises, signs of norovirus GII contamination were found in packaging lines. A new procedure for extracting viral nucleic acid from food and environmental samples was used during the outbreak investigation. Consumption of industrially packed frozen berries as heated would be one of the means to prevent norovirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maija Summa
- Microbiology Unit, Laboratory and Research Division, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Enni Tuutti
- Food Chain Division, Microbiological Food Safety Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Haider Al-Hello
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Liisa-Maija Huttunen
- Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ruska Rimhanen-Finne
- Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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Trudel-Ferland M, Collard MÈ, Goulet-Beaulieu V, Jubinville E, Hamon F, Jean J. Evaluation of a new automated viral RNA extraction platform for hepatitis A virus and human norovirus in testing of berries, lettuce, and oysters. Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 416:110664. [PMID: 38492524 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2024.110664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Fruits, vegetables, and shellfish are often associated with outbreaks of illness caused particularly by human norovirus (HuNoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV), the leading causative agents of foodborne illness worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new automated nucleic acid extraction platform (EGENE-UP EASYPREP) for enteric viruses in several at-risk food matrices and to test its limit of detection in comparison to a semi-automated method (EGENE-UP) using Boom methodology for nucleic acid extraction as suggested in the reference method ISO 15216-2:2019. Fresh and frozen raspberries, frozen blackberries, romaine lettuce and oyster digestive glands were artificially contaminated with HAV, HuNoV GII.4 or HuNoV GI.7 at 102, 103 or 104 genome copies/sample. Virus was then recovered from the food matrix using the ISO method. Viral RNA extracted from frozen berry samples by the automated system was purified on a column for additional removal of RT-qPCR inhibitors. For fresh raspberry, oysters, and romaine lettuce, the two extraction platforms were deemed equivalent. For frozen raspberry, the automated platform appeared to be more efficient for viral recovery, particularly for HAV and HuNoV GI at lower concentrations. With frozen blackberries, the two platforms may be considered equivalent for all targeted viruses. However, the automated method led to less sample-associated inhibition of the PCR, 56.5 % of samples versus 95.0 % for the semi-automated. We thus found that the automated extraction can be performed easily by users while obtaining equivalent or even superior results to the ISO 15216-2:2019 method, and therefore appears to be suitable for routine sanitary monitoring in food processing and for tracing outbreaks of illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Trudel-Ferland
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Collard
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Valérie Goulet-Beaulieu
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Eric Jubinville
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | | | - Julie Jean
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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Trudel-Ferland M, Levasseur M, Goulet-Beaulieu V, Jubinville E, Hamon F, Jean J. Concentration of foodborne viruses eluted from fresh and frozen produce: Applicability of ultrafiltration. Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 416:110687. [PMID: 38554558 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2024.110687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Foodborne illnesses involving raw and minimally processed foods are often caused by human noroviruses (HuNoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV). Since food is contaminated usually with small numbers of virions, these must be eluted from the food surface and then concentrated for detection. The objective of this study was to optimize an ultrafiltration (UF) concentration method for HAV and HuNoVs present on various fresh and frozen produce. The detection range of the optimized method and its applicability to different food matrices was compared to the reference method ISO 15216-1:2017. Strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, lettuce, and green onion (25 g) were contaminated with HAV, HuNoV GI.7 and HuNoV GII.4 and then recovered therefrom by elution. A commercial benchtop UF device was used for the concentration step. Viral RNA was extracted and detected by RT-qPCR. From fresh strawberries, recovery of HAV loaded at 104 genome copies per sample was 30 ± 13 %, elution time had no significant impact, and UF membrane with an 80-100 kDa cut-off in combination with Tris-glycine elution buffer at pH 9.5 was found optimal. At lower copy numbers on fresh strawberry, at least 1 log lower numbers of HuNoV were detectable by the UF method (103 vs 104 GII.4 copies/sample and 101 vs 103 GI.7 copies/sample), while HAV was detected at 101 genome copies/sample by both methods. Except on raspberry, the UF method was usually equivalent to the ISO method regardless of the virus tested. The UF method makes rapid viral concentration possible, while supporting the filtration of large volume of sample. With fewer steps and shorter analysis time than the ISO method, this method could be suitable for routine analysis of viruses throughout the food production and surveillance chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Trudel-Ferland
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Marianne Levasseur
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Valérie Goulet-Beaulieu
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Eric Jubinville
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | | | - Julie Jean
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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Salemane K, Coetzee LZ, Pocock G, Genthe B, Taylor MB, Mans J. Water-Based Epidemiological Investigation of Hepatitis E Virus in South Africa. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2024:10.1007/s12560-024-09596-1. [PMID: 38613652 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-024-09596-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that exhibits great host diversity. The primary means of transmission of the virus in low- and middle-income countries is contaminated water, often due to a lack of access to proper sanitation, which leads to faecal contamination of water sources. Environmental surveillance is an important tool that can be used to monitor virus circulation and as an early warning system for outbreaks. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of HEV in wastewater, surface water (rivers and standpipe/ablution water), and effluent from a piggery in South Africa. A total of 536 water samples were screened for HEV using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Overall, 21.8% (117/536) of the wastewater, river, and ablution water samples tested positive for HEV, whereas 74.4% (29/39) of the samples from the piggery tested positive. Genotyping revealed sequences belonging to HEV genotypes 3 (98%, 53/54) and 4 (2%, 1/54), with subtypes 3c, 3f, and 4b being identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karabo Salemane
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Gezina, Pretoria, 0031, South Africa
| | - Leanne Z Coetzee
- , Waterlab, Techno Park, 23B De Havilland Cres, Persequor, Pretoria, 0020, South Africa
| | - Gina Pocock
- , Waterlab, Techno Park, 23B De Havilland Cres, Persequor, Pretoria, 0020, South Africa
| | - Bettina Genthe
- Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
| | - Maureen B Taylor
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Gezina, Pretoria, 0031, South Africa
| | - Janet Mans
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Gezina, Pretoria, 0031, South Africa.
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Capai L, Masse S, Hozé N, Decarreaux D, Canarelli J, Simeoni MH, de Lamballerie X, Falchi A, Charrel R. Seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG in children: very early exposure in young children in a hyperendemic region. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1293575. [PMID: 38026418 PMCID: PMC10680972 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1293575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can be considered an emerging zoonotic pathogen and is an important cause of acute viral hepatitis in high-income countries. Corsica has been identified as a hyperendemic region for HEV. We aimed to characterize the prevalence of IgG among children and estimate the annual force of infection of HEV. Methods From April 2020 to June 2021, we collected 856 "residual sera" in 13 medical biology laboratories. Sera were tested using the Wantaï HEV IgG assay. Data were weighted according to the distribution by sex and age of the real Corsican population. Serocatalytic models were applied to assess the annual force of infection of HEV. Results The weighted seroprevalence was 30.33% [27.15-34.0]. The seroprevalence was only associated with increasing age (7.25-40.52%; p < 0.001). The annual probability of infection was 5.4% for adults and children above 10-year-old and 2.2% for children under 10 yo. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that in the hyperendemic island of Corsica, (i) exposure of the population to HEV is homogeneous at the spatial level with no difference between genders; (ii) HEV exposure occurs from birth, resulting in 7.4% seropositivity at the age of 4 years; and (iii) super exposure is observed after the age of 9 years. Accordingly, specific studies should be conducted to determine the breadth of the situation identified in our study. The role of the environment and its contamination by domestic or wild swine excreta should be investigated using a One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisandru Capai
- UR 7310, Université de Corse, Corte, France
- AG Junglen, Institute of Virology, University of Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Nathanaël Hozé
- Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Dorine Decarreaux
- UR 7310, Université de Corse, Corte, France
- Unité des Virus Émergents, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Rémi Charrel
- Unité des Virus Émergents, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Comité de Lutte contre les infections Nosocomiales, APHM HOPITAUX Universitaires de Marseille, Marseille, France
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Fallucca A, Restivo V, Sgariglia MC, Roveta M, Trucchi C. Hepatitis a Vaccine as Opportunity of Primary Prevention for Food Handlers: A Narrative Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1271. [PMID: 37515087 PMCID: PMC10383099 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is still a leading cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. After a long incubation period, the clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic infection to acute liver failure. The severity of the disease increases with age and pre-existing liver disease. The transmission is mainly via person-to-person contact or ingestion of contaminated food or water. Food contamination can occur at any step of the food chain, especially when infected people handle not-heated or otherwise-treated food. HAV is endemic in low-income countries because of poor sanitary and sociodemographic conditions. The populations of developed countries are highly susceptible, and large outbreaks occur when HAV is introduced from endemic countries due to globalization, travel, and movement of foodstuffs. HAV prevention includes hygiene practices, immunoglobulins, and vaccination. Safe and effective inactivated and live attenuated vaccines are available and provide long-term protection. The vaccine targets are children and subjects at increased risk of HAV exposure or serious clinical outcomes. This review discusses the critical role of food handlers in the spread of HAV and the opportunity for food industry employers to consider food handler immunization a tool to manage both food safety in compliance with HACCP principles and food operators' biologic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Fallucca
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Restivo
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Marco Roveta
- Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Department of Prevention, Local Health Unit 3, 16142 Genoa, Italy
| | - Cecilia Trucchi
- Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Department of Prevention, Local Health Unit 3, 16142 Genoa, Italy
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Chatonnat E, Manseau-Ferland K, Jubinville E, Goulet-Beaulieu V, Jean J. Prevalence of Foodborne Viruses in Berries Harvested in Canada. Foods 2023; 12:723. [PMID: 36832797 PMCID: PMC9955551 DOI: 10.3390/foods12040723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
It is known that the transmission of different foodborne viruses can occur either via discharge of contaminated water close to the production environment or via close contact with animal feces. Cranberries are intimately associated with water throughout their production cycle, and blueberries grow close to the ground which could lead to contact with wildlife. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of human norovirus (HuNoV GI and GII), hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) in two berries produced commercially in Canada. The detection of HuNoV and HAV on RTE cranberries and of HEV on wild blueberries was evaluated using the ISO method 15216-1:2017. Only 3 of 234 cranberry samples tested positive for HuNoV GI (3.6, 7.4, 5.3 genome copies/g, respectively) and all were negative for HuNoV GII and HAV. PMA pre-treatment and sequencing confirmed the absence of potential intact HuNoV GI particles on cranberries. None of the 150 blueberry samples tested positive for HEV. Overall, the prevalence of foodborne viruses in RTE cranberries and wild blueberries harvested in Canada is low, making these products relatively safe for consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Julie Jean
- Food Science Department, Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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Pedroni L, Dellafiora L, Varrà MO, Galaverna G, Ghidini S. In silico study on the Hepatitis E virus RNA Helicase and its inhibition by silvestrol, rocaglamide and other flavagline compounds. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15512. [PMID: 36109625 PMCID: PMC9477874 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19818-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) follows waterborne or zoonotic/foodborne transmission. Genotype 3 HEV infections are worldwide spread, especially in swine populations, representing an emerging threat for human health, both for farm workers and pork meat consumers. Unfortunately, HEV in vitro culture and analysis are still difficult, resulting in a poor understanding of its biology and hampering the implementation of counteracting strategies. Indeed, HEV encodes for only one non-structural multifunctional and multidomain protein (ORF1), which might be a good candidate for anti-HEV drugging strategies. In this context, an in silico molecular modelling approach that consisted in homology modelling to derive the 3D model target, docking study to simulate the binding event, and molecular dynamics to check complex stability over time was used. This workflow succeeded to describe ORF1 RNA Helicase domain from a molecular standpoint allowing the identification of potential inhibitory compounds among natural plant-based flavagline-related molecules such as silvestrol, rocaglamide and derivatives thereof. In the context of scouting potential anti-viral compounds and relying on the outcomes presented, further dedicated investigations on silvestrol, rocaglamide and a promising oxidized derivative have been suggested. For the sake of data reproducibility, the 3D model of HEV RNA Helicase has been made publicly available.
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Spada E, Simeoni M, Martina A, Pati I, Villano U, Adriani D, D'Angiò A, Tritarelli E, Taffon S, Bellino S, Boros S, Urciuoli R, Masiello F, Marano G, Bruni R, Pezzotti P, Ciccaglione AR, Pupella S, De Angelis V, Pisani G. Prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis E virus infection in blood donors: a nationwide survey in Italy, 2017 to 2019. EURO SURVEILLANCE : BULLETIN EUROPEEN SUR LES MALADIES TRANSMISSIBLES = EUROPEAN COMMUNICABLE DISEASE BULLETIN 2022; 27. [PMID: 35656832 PMCID: PMC9164674 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.22.2100516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background In high-income countries, hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is mainly a zoonosis. However, it is also transfusion-transmissible and some countries, but not Italy, have introduced HEV screening for blood donations. Aim We assessed HEV infection prevalence and risk factors in a nationwide sample of Italian blood donors. Methods We selected 107 blood establishments (BE) distributed in the 20 Italian regions by a stratified two-stage design and invited them to participate in the study. Donors were tested for anti-HEV IgG and IgM and HEV RNA. Sociodemographic data and risk factors were collected through a questionnaire. Results Overall, 60 BE from 60 provinces in 19 Italian regions joined the study. We assessed HEV markers in 7,172 blood donors, of whom 6,235 completed the questionnaire. Overall crude and adjusted anti-HEV IgG prevalences were 8.3% and 5.5%, respectively. Overall anti-HEV IgM prevalence was 0.5%, while no blood donor was HEV RNA-positive. Anti-HEV IgG prevalence varied widely among regions (range: 1.3%–27.20%) and hyperendemic prevalences (> 40%) were detected in some provinces in two regions. Older age (AOR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.36–2.41), foreign nationality (AOR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.06–7.24), eating raw pork liver sausages (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.55–3.20) and raw homemade sausages (AOR = 3.63; 95% CI: 2.50–5.24) were independent infection predictors. Conclusion Italian blood donors showed a low to moderate HEV seroprevalence. High levels in some regions and/or provinces were mainly attributable to eating habits. Prevention should include avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked meat and safe production of commercial pork products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enea Spada
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Simeoni
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Martina
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pati
- Italian National Blood Centre, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Umbertina Villano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Adriani
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese D'Angiò
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Tritarelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Taffon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Bellino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Boros
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Urciuoli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Masiello
- Italian National Blood Centre, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marano
- Italian National Blood Centre, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Bruni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizio Pezzotti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Simonetta Pupella
- Italian National Blood Centre, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giulio Pisani
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Raji YE, Toung OP, Taib NM, Sekawi ZB. Hepatitis E Virus: An emerging enigmatic and underestimated pathogen. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:499-512. [PMID: 35002446 PMCID: PMC8716866 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an RNA virus causing hepatitis E disease. The virus is of one serotype but has diverse genotypes infecting both humans and animals. Based on evidence from seroprevalence studies, about 2 billion people are estimated to have been infected with HEV globally. HEV, therefore, poses a significant public health and economic challenge worldwide. HEV was discovered in the 1980s and was traced back to the 1955 - 1956 outbreak of hepatitis that occurred in India. Subsequently, several HEV epidemics involving thousands of individuals have occurred nearly annually in different countries in Asia and Africa. Initially, the virus was thought to be only enterically transmitted, and endemic in developing countries. Due to the environmental hygiene and sanitation challenges in those parts of the world. However, recent studies have suggested otherwise with the report of autochthonous cases in industrialised countries with no history of travel to the so-called endemic countries. Thus, suggesting that HEV has a global distribution with endemicity in both developing and industrialised nations. Studies have also revealed that HEV has multiple risk factors, and modes of transmission as well as zoonotic potentials. Additionally, recent findings have shown that HEV leads to severe disease, particularly among pregnant women. In contrast to the previous narration of a strictly mild and self-limiting infection. Studies have likewise demonstrated chronic HEV infection among immunocompromised persons. Consequent to these recent discoveries, this pathogen is considered a re - emerging virus, particularly in the developed nations. However, despite the growing public health challenges of this pathogen, the burden is still underestimated. The underestimation is often attributed to poor awareness among clinicians and a lack of routine checks for the disease in the hospitals. Thus, leading to misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. Hence, this review provides a concise overview of epidemiology, diagnosis, and prevention of hepatitis E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yakubu Egigogo Raji
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia 1, Malaysia
- Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria
| | - Ooi Peck Toung
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia 2, Malaysia
| | - Niazlin Mohd Taib
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia 1, Malaysia
| | - Zamberi Bin Sekawi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia 1, Malaysia
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Sobolik JS, Newman KL, Jaykus LA, Bihn EA, Leon JS. Norovirus transmission mitigation strategies during simulated produce harvest and packing. Int J Food Microbiol 2021; 357:109365. [PMID: 34488004 PMCID: PMC8510003 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2021.109365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the agricultural setting, core global food safety elements, such as hand hygiene and worker furlough, should reduce the risk of norovirus contamination on fresh produce. However, the effect of these practices has not been characterized. Using a quantitative microbial risk model, we evaluated the individual and combined effect of farm-based hand hygiene and worker furlough practices on the maximum risk of norovirus infection from three produce commodities (open leaf lettuce, vine tomatoes, and raspberries). Specifically, we tested two scenarios where a harvester's and packer's norovirus infection status was: 1) assumed positive; or 2) assigned based on community norovirus prevalence estimates. In the first scenario with a norovirus-positive harvester and packer, none of the individual interventions modeled reduced produce contamination to below the norovirus infectious dose. However, combined interventions, particularly high handwashing compliance (100%) and efficacy (6 log10 virus removal achieved using soap and water for 30 s), reduced produce contamination to <1-82 residual virus. Translating produce contamination to maximum consumer infection risk, 100% handwashing with a 5 log10 virus removal was necessary to achieve an infection risk below the threshold of 0.032 infections per consumption event. When community-based norovirus prevalence estimates were applied to the harvester and packer, the single interventions of 100% handwashing with 3 log10 virus removal (average 0.02 infection risk per consumption event) or furlough of the packer (average 0.03 infection risk per consumption event) reduced maximum infection risk to below the 0.032 threshold for all commodities. Bundled interventions (worker furlough, 100% glove compliance, and 100% handwashing with 1-log10 virus reduction) resulted in a maximum risk of 0.02 per consumption event across all commodities. These results advance the evidence-base for global produce safety standards as effective norovirus contamination and risk mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia S Sobolik
- Emory University, Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Kira L Newman
- Emory University, Hubert Department of Global Health, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Lee-Ann Jaykus
- North Carolina State University, Food, Bioprocessing, & Nutrition Sciences, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Bihn
- Cornell University, Department of Food Science, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Juan S Leon
- Emory University, Hubert Department of Global Health, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Bigoraj E, Paszkiewicz W, Rzeżutka A. Porcine Blood and Liver as Sporadic Sources of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in the Production Chain of Offal-Derived Foodstuffs in Poland. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2021; 13:347-356. [PMID: 33891305 PMCID: PMC8379118 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09475-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Pig'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 blood 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 virus was isolated from food samples using a QIAamp® Viral RNA Mini Kit. Virus-specific IAC-controlled real-time PCR methods were used for detection of target viruses. HEV RNA was found in 6 (2.4%; 95% CI: 0.9-5.2) out of 246 samples of tested foodstuffs. The virus was detected in pig's blood (3.4%; 95% CI: 1.1-7.8) and liver (1.0%; 95% CI: 0.0-5.0) with no significant differences observed in the frequency of its occurrence between the two by-products (t = 1.33; p = 0.182 > 0.05); however PAdV was detected more frequently in pig's blood than in liver (t = 4.65; p = 0.000 < 0.05). The HEV strains belonged to the 3f and 3e subtype groups and the pAdV strains were assigned to serotype 5. PAdV was detected in pigs regardless of the farm size from which they originated. The number of animals raised on the farm (the farm size) had no influence on the occurrence of HEV or pAdV infections in pigs (F = 0.81, p = 0.447 > 0.05 for HEV; F = 0.42, p = 0.655 > 0.05 for pAdV). Although HEV was detected in pig's offal only sporadically, consumers cannot treat its occurrence with disregard as it demonstrates that HEV-contaminated pig tissues can enter the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Bigoraj
- Department of Food and Environmental Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - W Paszkiewicz
- Department of Food Hygiene of Animal Origin, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Akademicka 12, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - A Rzeżutka
- Department of Food and Environmental Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
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Hriskova K, Marosevic D, Belting A, Wenzel JJ, Carl A, Katz K. Epidemiology of Hepatitis E in 2017 in Bavaria, Germany. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2021; 13:337-346. [PMID: 33900549 PMCID: PMC8379136 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09474-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In 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 Bavaria were included in the analysis. Mean age for women was 46 (range 20-74) years and 47.5 (range 20-85) for men. 56 of the cases (41.5%) were asymptomatic. Among the symptomatic cases, both men and women were equally affected with symptoms like fever (16.3%), jaundice (18.8%) and upper abdominal pain (28.2%). 145 human samples (serum, stool) and 6 food samples were collected. 15.9% of the human samples (n = 23) were positive for HEV RNA by reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Identified risk factors significantly associated with hepatitis E were sausage consumption with odds ratio 9.6 (CI 1.3-70.1), fish with OR 2.2 (CI 1.1-4.4) and cat ownership with OR 1.9 (CI 1.3-3.0) in multivariable analyses. Further investigation is needed to confirm the role of fish in HEV transmission. Autochthonous HEV genotype 3 is prevalent in Bavaria and there could be more transmission routes contributing to the spread of HEV than previously known. Undercooked meat, offal, sausages, fish, shellfish and contact with animals and pets are possible sources for infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Hriskova
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology - IBE, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany.
| | - D Marosevic
- Bavarian Public Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - A Belting
- Bavarian Public Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - J J Wenzel
- National Consultant Laboratory for HAV and HEV, Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - A Carl
- Bavarian Public Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - K Katz
- Bavarian Public Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
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Jama-Kmiecik A, Sarowska J, Wojnicz D, Choroszy-Król I, Frej-Mądrzak M. Natural Products and Their Potential Anti-HAV Activity. Pathogens 2021; 10:1095. [PMID: 34578128 PMCID: PMC8469781 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of purified natural products in the prevention and treatment of countless diseases of bacterial, fungal, and viral origin cannot be overestimated. New antiviral drugs have been obtained from natural sources and transformed into preparations for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. Flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, proanthocyanins, polysaccharides, organic acids, proteins, polypeptides, and essential oils derived from plants, animals, or microorganisms can control and combat foodborne viral infections, including hepatitis A. The components of essential oils are characterized by numerous therapeutic and antioxidant properties and exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial and antiviral activity. Due to these properties, they can be used to preserve meat, fruit, vegetables, and their products. Over the past two decades, much effort has been made to identify natural products, mostly of plant origin, to combat foodborne viruses. Natural plant extracts have several potential uses, not limited to increasing the safety of food products and improving their quality, but also as natural antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Jama-Kmiecik
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University, Chalubinskiego 4, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.J.-K.); (J.S.); (I.C.-K.)
| | - Jolanta Sarowska
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University, Chalubinskiego 4, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.J.-K.); (J.S.); (I.C.-K.)
| | - Dorota Wojnicz
- Department of Medical Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 9, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Irena Choroszy-Król
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University, Chalubinskiego 4, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.J.-K.); (J.S.); (I.C.-K.)
| | - Magdalena Frej-Mądrzak
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University, Chalubinskiego 4, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.J.-K.); (J.S.); (I.C.-K.)
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NGS Techniques Reveal a High Diversity of RNA Viral Pathogens and Papillomaviruses in Fresh Produce and Irrigation Water. Foods 2021; 10:foods10081820. [PMID: 34441597 PMCID: PMC8394881 DOI: 10.3390/foods10081820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fresh fruits and vegetables are susceptible to microbial contamination at every stage of the food production chain, and as a potential source of pathogens, irrigation water quality is a critical factor. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques have been flourishing and expanding to a wide variety of fields. However, their application in food safety remains insufficiently explored, and their sensitivity requires improvement. In this study, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays showed low but frequent contamination of common circulating viral pathogens, which were found in 46.9% of samples of fresh produce: 6/12 lettuce samples, 4/12 strawberries samples, and 5/8 parsley samples. Furthermore, the application of two different NGS approaches, target enrichment sequencing (TES) for detecting viruses that infect vertebrates and amplicon deep sequencing (ADS), revealed a high diversity of viral pathogens, especially Norovirus (NoV) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV), in fresh produce and irrigation water. All NoV and HPV types found in fresh fruit and vegetable samples were also detected in irrigation water sources, indicating that these viruses are common circulating pathogens in the population and that irrigation water may be the most probable source of viral pathogens in food samples.
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Bari FD, Wodaje HB, Said U, Waktole H, Sombo M, Leta S, Chibsa TR, Plummer P. First molecular detection of hepatitis E virus genome in camel and pig faecal samples in Ethiopia. Virol J 2021; 18:160. [PMID: 34348751 PMCID: PMC8335859 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-021-01626-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E is an enteric and zoonotic disease caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) that is mainly transmitted via the faecal-oral route through contaminated food or the environment. The virus is an emerging infectious agent causing acute human infection worldwide. A high seroprevalence of the disease was reported in pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, raising significant public health concern. The presence of HEV specific antibodies were also reported in dromedary camels in the country; however, the infectious virus and/or the viral genome have not been demonstrated to date in animal samples. METHODS To address this gap, a total of 95 faecal samples collected from both apparently healthy pigs of uncharacterised types (50 samples) in Burayu and Addis Ababa areas and camels (Camelus dromedarius, 45 samples) in west Hararghe were screened for the presence of HEV genome using universal primers in a fully nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nRT-PCR). The protocol is capable of detecting HEV in faecal samples from both pigs and camels. RESULTS The nRT-PCR detected HEV genes in six (12%) pig faecal samples and one camel sample (2.2%). Therefore, the results indicate that HEV is circulating in both pigs and camels in Ethiopia and these animals and their products could serve as a potential source of infection for humans. CONCLUSION The detection of HEV in both animals could raise another concern regarding its public health importance as both animals' meat and camel milk are consumed in the country. Further studies to determine the prevalence and distribution of the virus in different animals and their products, water bodies, food chain, and vegetables are warranted, along with viral gene sequencing for detailed genetic characterisation of the isolates circulating in the country. This information is critically important to design and institute appropriate control and/or preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fufa Dawo Bari
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
| | - Haimanot Belete Wodaje
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.,Assosa University, Assosa, Ethiopia
| | - Umer Said
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.,Oda Bultum University, West Hararge, Chiro, Ethiopia
| | - Hika Waktole
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Melaku Sombo
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia
| | - Samson Leta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | | | - Paul Plummer
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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Annous BA, Buckley DA, Kingsley DH. Efficacy of Chlorine Dioxide Gas Against Hepatitis A Virus on Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, and Strawberries. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2021; 13:241-247. [PMID: 33689143 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09465-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Seeking 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 were evaluated. When compared to untreated HAV-contaminated berries, log reductions of HAV were > 2.1 for all berry types and conditions tested indicating the gaseous ClO2 was effective. The average log reduction with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries treated with 1.00 ppm-h/g, the lowest ClO2 treatment tested, were 2.44, 2.49, 3.23, and 3.45, respectively. The highest treatment of 6.27 ppm-h/g was applied at two different gas concentrations of 1 mg/l and 2 mg/l. Average log reductions for blueberries and strawberries treated with 6.27 ppm-h/g were 4.34 and 4.42, and 4.03 and 3.51, applied at 1 mg/l and 2 mg/l, respectively. For blackberries and raspberries 3.20 and 3.24, and 3.23 and 3.97 log reductions were observed for 6.27 ppm-h/g treatments applied at 1 mg/l and 2 mg/l, respectively. Results indicate that HAV contamination of berries can be substantially reduced by gaseous ClO2 and offer industry a waterless means of sanitizing berries against HAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassam A Annous
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Food Safety and Intervention Technologies Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA, 19038, USA
| | - David A Buckley
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Food Safety and Intervention Technologies Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA, 19038, USA
- Diversey, Inc, 1300 Altura Road, Fort Mill, SC, 29708, USA
| | - David H Kingsley
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Food Safety and Intervention Technologies Research Unit, Delaware State University, 1200 North DuPont Hwy, Dover, DE, 19901, USA.
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Effects of Weather and Environmental Factors on the Seasonal Prevalence of Foodborne Viruses in Irrigation Waters in Gyeonggi Province, Korea. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8081224. [PMID: 32796772 PMCID: PMC7465913 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8081224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of foodborne viruses in reservoirs (an important resource of irrigation water) and its correlation with environmental and weather factors. From May 2017 to November 2018, we visited ten reservoirs and a river in the Anseong region of South Korea and collected a total of 192 samples in accordance with the environment protection agency guidelines. We recorded the weather factors (temperature, humidity, and accumulated precipitation) and investigated the surrounding environment factors (livestock, fishing site, the catchment area of reservoirs, etc.). Our research results show that from the river and reservoirs, the detection rates of human norovirus GII, adenovirus, rotavirus, human norovirus GI, and astrovirus were 27.1, 10.4, 10.4, 4.16, and 3.1%, respectively. Their viral load ranged from -1.48 to 1.55 log10 genome copies/l. However, hepatitis A virus was not detected in any irrigation water sample. Although no sampling was performed in winter, foodborne viruses and male-specific coliphages were frequently found during spring (40.78%) and autumn (39.47%). Interestingly, the significant correlation between the accumulative precipitation and the number of detected norovirus and adenovirus was confirmed by linear regression analysis. Furthermore, when the accumulative precipitation ranged from 20 to 60 mm, it significantly affected the viral load and prevalence. Among the environmental factors, recreational facilities such as fishing sites and bungalow fishing spots were identified as contamination sources by correlation analysis. Our research results confirmed the correlations between environmental contamination factors in the reservoir and weather factors with the prevalence of foodborne viruses in the reservoir. These facilitates the assessment of potential foodborne virus contamination during crop irrigation. In addition, predictive models including environmental and weather factors should be developed for monitoring and controlling the safety of irrigation waters in reservoirs.
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Falcó I, Díaz-Reolid A, Randazzo W, Sánchez G. Green tea extract assisted low-temperature pasteurization to inactivate enteric viruses in juices. Int J Food Microbiol 2020; 334:108809. [PMID: 32799118 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2020.108809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The current popularity of minimally processed foods is an opportunity for natural antimicrobial agents to be combined with mild heat treatments to act synergistically in reducing viral foodborne pathogens. Viral inactivation by heat-treatments (at 25, 40, 50 and 63 °C for 30 min) combined with aged green tea extract (aged-GTE) was initially evaluated in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) against murine norovirus (MNV-1) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) by cell culture, and against human norovirus by in situ capture RT-qPCR. The combination of aged-GTE and heat treatment at 50 °C for 30 min exerted strong antiviral activity, reducing by more than 5 log MNV-1 infectivity in PBS. Heating at 40 °C for 30 min reduced the binding of norovirus to porcine gastric mucine (PGM) to 41.5% and the addition of aged-GTE further decreased the binding to 4.7%. Additionally, the reduction of MNV-1 and HAV infectivity was investigated in two different types of juices exposed to mild heat treatments alone, and combined with aged-GTE. The addition of aged-GTE increased to more than 4 log the inactivation of MNV-1 in juices exposed to 50 °C for 30 min. However, this synergistic effect of aged-GTE combined with heat treatments was not observed for HAV in any of the juices. Aged-GTE, then, could be considered as an additional control measure to improve the food safety of mild heat pasteurized juices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Falcó
- Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, IATA-CSIC, Avda. Agustín Escardino 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Azahara Díaz-Reolid
- Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, IATA-CSIC, Avda. Agustín Escardino 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Walter Randazzo
- Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, IATA-CSIC, Avda. Agustín Escardino 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain; Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Av. Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gloria Sánchez
- Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, IATA-CSIC, Avda. Agustín Escardino 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
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Interaction between norovirus and Histo-Blood Group Antigens: A key to understanding virus transmission and inactivation through treatments? Food Microbiol 2020; 92:103594. [PMID: 32950136 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2020.103594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are a main cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. They are frequently involved in foodborne and waterborne outbreaks. Environmental transmission of the virus depends on two main factors: the ability of viral particles to remain infectious and their adhesion capacity onto different surfaces. Until recently, adhesion of viral particles to food matrices was mainly investigated by considering non-specific interactions (e.g. electrostatic, hydrophobic) and there was only limited information about infectious HuNoVs because of the absence of a reliable in vitro HuNoV cultivation system. Many HuNoV strains have now been described as having specific binding interactions with human Histo-Blood Group Antigens (HBGAs) and non-HBGA ligands found in food and the environment. Relevant approaches to the in vitro replication of HuNoVs were also proposed recently. On the basis of the available literature data, this review discusses the opportunities to use this new knowledge to obtain a better understanding of HuNoV transmission to human populations and better evaluate the hazard posed by HuNoVs in foodstuffs and the environment.
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Rusiñol M, Hundesa A, Cárdenas-Youngs Y, Fernández-Bravo A, Pérez-Cataluña A, Moreno-Mesonero L, Moreno Y, Calvo M, Alonso JL, Figueras MJ, Araujo R, Bofill-Mas S, Girones R. Microbiological contamination of conventional and reclaimed irrigation water: Evaluation and management measures. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 710:136298. [PMID: 31923670 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The wide diversity of irrigation water sources (i.e., drinking water, groundwater, reservoir water, river water) includes reclaimed water as a requested measure for increasing water availability, but it is also a challenge as pathogen exposure may increase. This study evaluates the level of microbial contamination in different irrigation waters to improve the knowledge and analyses management measures for safety irrigation. Over a one-year period, the occurrence of a set of viruses, bacteria and protozoa, was quantified and the performance of a wetland system, producing reclaimed water intended for irrigation, was characterized. Human fecal pollution (HAdV) was found in most of the irrigation water types analysed. Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an emerging zoonotic pathogen, was present in groundwater where porcine contamination was identified (PAdV). The skin-carcinoma associated Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), was found occasionally in river water. Noroviruses were detected, as expected, in winter, in river water and reclaimed water. Groundwater, river water and reservoir water also harboured potential bacterial pathogens, like Helicobacter pylori, Legionella spp. and Aeromonas spp. that could be internalized and viable inside amoebas like Acanthamoeba castellanii, which was also detected. Neither Giardia cysts, nor any Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected. The wetland system removed 3 Log10 of viruses and 5 Log10 of bacteria, which resembled the river water quality. Irrigation waters were prone to variable contamination levels and according to the European guidance documents, the E. coli (EC) levels were not always acceptable. Sporadic detection of viral pathogens as NoV GII and HAdV was identified in water samples presenting lower EC than the established limit (100MNP/100 mL). When dealing with reclaimed water as a source of irrigation the analysis of some viral parameters, like HAdV during the peak irrigation period (summer and spring) or NoV during the coldest months, could complement existing water management tools based on bacterial indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Rusiñol
- Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Ayalkibet Hundesa
- Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Yexenia Cárdenas-Youngs
- Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ana Fernández-Bravo
- Microbiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, IISPV, University Rovira and Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Alba Pérez-Cataluña
- Microbiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, IISPV, University Rovira and Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Laura Moreno-Mesonero
- Instituto de Ingeniería del Agua y Medio Ambiente, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Yolanda Moreno
- Instituto de Ingeniería del Agua y Medio Ambiente, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Miquel Calvo
- Section of Statistics, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Alonso
- Instituto de Ingeniería del Agua y Medio Ambiente, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria José Figueras
- Microbiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, IISPV, University Rovira and Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Rosa Araujo
- Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sílvia Bofill-Mas
- Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Rosina Girones
- Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Bozkurt H, Phan-Thien KY, van Ogtrop F, Bell T, McConchie R. Outbreaks, occurrence, and control of norovirus and hepatitis a virus contamination in berries: A review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2020; 61:116-138. [PMID: 32008374 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1719383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Foodborne enteric viruses, in particular HuNoV and HAV, are the most common cause of the berry-linked viral diseases, and outbreaks around the world, and have become an important concern for health authorities. Despite the increased importance of berry fruits as a vehicle for foodborne viruses, there is limited information concerning the fate of foodborne viruses in the berry supply chain from farm to consumer. A comprehensive understanding of berry-associated viral outbreaks - with a focus on contamination sources, persistence, survival, and the effects of current postharvest and processing interventions and practices - is essential for the development of effective preventative strategies to reduce risk of illness. The purpose of this paper is twofold; (i) to critically review the published literature on the current state of knowledge regarding berry-associated foodborne viral outbreaks and the efficiency of berry processing practices and (ii) to identify and prioritize research gaps regarding practical and effective mechanism to reduce viral contamination of berries. The review found that fecally infected food handlers were the predominant source of preharvest and postharvest pathogenic viral contamination. Current industrial practices applied to fresh and frozen berries demonstrated limited efficacy for reducing the viral load. While maintaining best practice personal and environmental hygiene is a key intervention, the optimization of processing parameters (i.e., freezing, frozen storage, and washing) and/or development of alternative processing technologies to induce sufficient viral inactivation in berries along with retaining sensory and nutritional quality, is also an important direction for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayriye Bozkurt
- ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Food Safety in the Fresh Produce Industry, Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kim-Yen Phan-Thien
- ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Food Safety in the Fresh Produce Industry, Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Floris van Ogtrop
- ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Food Safety in the Fresh Produce Industry, Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tina Bell
- ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Food Safety in the Fresh Produce Industry, Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robyn McConchie
- ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Food Safety in the Fresh Produce Industry, Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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25
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The Occurrence of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli in Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems. HORTICULTURAE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae6010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Food safety concerns have been raised over vegetables and herbs grown in aquaponics and hydroponics due to the reuse of wastewater and spent nutrient solutions. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of foodborne pathogens in greenhouse-based aquaponic and hydroponic systems. Fish feces, recirculating water, roots, and the edible portions of lettuce, basil, and tomato were collected at harvest, and microbiological analyses were conducted for the bacterial pathogens Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. Enrichments and selective media were used for the isolation, and presumptive positive colonies were confirmed by PCR. STEC was found in fish feces, in the water of both systems, and on the surface of the roots of lettuce, basil, and tomato regardless of the system. However, contaminated water did not lead to the internalization of STEC into the roots, leaves, and/or fruit of the plants. Meanwhile, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were not present in any samples examined. Our results demonstrated that there are potential food safety hazards for fresh produce grown in aquaponic and hydroponic production systems.
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Anfruns-Estrada E, Bottaro M, Pintó RM, Guix S, Bosch A. Effectiveness of Consumers Washing with Sanitizers to Reduce Human Norovirus on Mixed Salad. Foods 2019; 8:E637. [PMID: 31817024 PMCID: PMC6963976 DOI: 10.3390/foods8120637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human norovirus (HuNoV) is a foremost cause of domestically acquired foodborne acute gastroenteritis and outbreaks. Despite industrial efforts to control HuNoV contamination of foods, its prevalence in foodstuffs at retail is significant. HuNoV infections are often associated with the consumption of contaminated produce, including ready-to-eat (RTE) salads. Decontamination of produce by washing with disinfectants is a consumer habit which could significantly contribute to mitigate the risk of infection. The aim of our study was to measure the effectiveness of chemical sanitizers in inactivating genogroup I and II HuNoV strains on mixed salads using a propidium monoazide (PMAxx)-viability RTqPCR assay. Addition of sodium hypochlorite, peracetic acid, or chlorine dioxide significantly enhanced viral removal as compared with water alone. Peracetic acid provided the highest effectiveness, with log10 reductions on virus levels of 3.66 ± 0.40 and 3.33 ± 0.19 for genogroup I and II, respectively. Chlorine dioxide showed lower disinfection efficiency. Our results provide information useful to the food industry and final consumers for improving the microbiological safety of fresh products in relation to foodborne viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Anfruns-Estrada
- Enteric Virus Laboratory, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (E.A.-E.); (M.B.); (R.M.P.); (A.B.)
- Nutrition and Food Safety Research Institute (INSA·UB), University of Barcelona, Santa Coloma de, 08921 Gramenet, Spain
| | - Marilisa Bottaro
- Enteric Virus Laboratory, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (E.A.-E.); (M.B.); (R.M.P.); (A.B.)
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa M. Pintó
- Enteric Virus Laboratory, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (E.A.-E.); (M.B.); (R.M.P.); (A.B.)
- Nutrition and Food Safety Research Institute (INSA·UB), University of Barcelona, Santa Coloma de, 08921 Gramenet, Spain
| | - Susana Guix
- Enteric Virus Laboratory, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (E.A.-E.); (M.B.); (R.M.P.); (A.B.)
- Nutrition and Food Safety Research Institute (INSA·UB), University of Barcelona, Santa Coloma de, 08921 Gramenet, Spain
| | - Albert Bosch
- Enteric Virus Laboratory, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (E.A.-E.); (M.B.); (R.M.P.); (A.B.)
- Nutrition and Food Safety Research Institute (INSA·UB), University of Barcelona, Santa Coloma de, 08921 Gramenet, Spain
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Abstract
Over the past decade, frozen fruits have been a major vehicle of foodborne illnesses mainly attributed to norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections. Fresh produce may acquire viral contamination by direct contact with contaminated surface, water or hands, and is then frozen without undergoing proper decontamination. Due to their structural integrity, foodborne viruses are able to withstand hostile conditions such as desiccation and freezing, and endure for a long period of time without losing their infectivity. Additionally, these foods are often consumed raw or undercooked, which increases the risk of infection. Herein, we searched published literature and databases of reported outbreaks as well as the databases of news articles for the viral outbreaks associated with the consumption of frozen produce between January 2008 and December 2018; recorded the worldwide distribution of these outbreaks; and analysed the implication of consumption of different types of contaminated frozen food. In addition, we have briefly discussed the factors that contribute to an increased risk of foodborne viral infection following the consumption of frozen produce. Our results revealed that frozen fruits, especially berries and pomegranate arils, contributed to the majority of the outbreaks, and that most outbreaks were reported in industrialised countries.
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28
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Seroprevalence Study of Anti-HEV IgG among Different Adult Populations in Corsica, France, 2019. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7100460. [PMID: 31623185 PMCID: PMC6843757 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7100460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. In France, hyperendemic areas including Corsica have an anti-HEV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) prevalence higher than 50%. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG in three adult populations in Corsica and the risk factors associated with antibody detection. Between 2017 and 2019, a total of 930 individuals, including 467 blood donors, 393 students or university staff members and 70 patients from general practice, were tested for the presence of anti-HEV IgG using the Wantai HEV IgG enzyme immunoassay kit and filled a questionnaire. The association between seropositivity and potential risk factors was tested with univariate and multivariate analyses. Out of the 930 samples, 52.3% (486/930) were seropositive—54.4% (254/467) among blood donors, 47.6% (187/393) among university students and 64.3% (45/70) among patients of general practice. Three main risk factors were identified: (i) skinning and butchering (Adjusted Odds Ratio aOR = 2.76, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] [1.51–5.37]; p-value < 10−3), (ii) consumption of a local pork live raw sausage (fittonu) (aOR = 1.95 95% CI [1.45–2.64]; p-value = 10−5), and (iii) increasing age (p-value = 0.003). Seropositivity rates between the different populations were homogeneous after age stratification. This cross-sectional study indicates a high anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence in the Corsican adult population, not significantly different between women and men and increasing with age. This serosurvey also showed homogeneity regarding the exposure to HEV among three different types of populations. Finally, we confirmed the endemicity of Corsica with respect to HEV and identified a strong association between consumption of figatellu/fittonu and the practice of skinning and butchering with the detection of anti-HEV IgG.
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Pimenta AI, Margaça FM, Cabo Verde S. Virucidal activity of gamma radiation on strawberries and raspberries. Int J Food Microbiol 2019; 304:89-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2019.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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30
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Mrzljak A, Dinjar-Kujundzic P, Jemersic L, Prpic J, Barbic L, Savic V, Stevanovic V, Vilibic-Cavlek T. Epidemiology of hepatitis E in South-East Europe in the "One Health" concept. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:3168-3182. [PMID: 31333309 PMCID: PMC6626717 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i25.3168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The significance of hepatitis E virus (HEV) as an important public health problem is rising. Until a decade ago, cases of HEV infection in Eur-ope were mainly confined to returning travelers, but nowadays, hepatitis E represents an emerging zoonotic infection in many European countries. The aim of this manuscript is to perform a systematic review of the published literature on hepatitis E distribution in humans, animals and environmental samples ("One Health" concept) in the South-Eastern European countries. Comparison of the available data showed that the anti-HEV seroprevalence in the South-Eastern Europe varies greatly, depending on the population studied, geographical area and methods used. The IgG seroprevalence rates in different population groups were found to be 1.1%-24.5% in Croatia, up to 20.9% in Bulgaria, 5.9-%17.1% in Romania, 15% in Serbia, up to 9.7% in Greece and 2%-9.7% in Albania. Among possible risk factors, older age was the most significant predictor for HEV seropositivity in most studies. Higher seroprevalence rates were found in animals. HEV IgG antibodies in domestic pigs were detected in 20%-54.5%, 29.2%-50%, 38.94%-50% and 31.1%-91.7% in Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia, respectively. In wild boars seroprevalence rates were up to 10.3%, 30.3% and 31.1% in Romania, Slovenia and Croatia, respectively. A high HEV RNA prevalence in wild boars in some countries (Croatia and Romania) indicated that wild boars may have a key role in the HEV epidemiology. There are very few data on HEV prevalence in environmental samples. HEV RNA was detected in 3.3% and 16.7% surface waters in Slovenia and Serbia, respectively. There is no evidence of HEV RNA in sewage systems in this region. The available data on genetic characterization show that human, animal and environmental HEV strains mainly belong to the genotype 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mrzljak
- Department of Medicine, Merkur University Hospital; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Lorena Jemersic
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jelena Prpic
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
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31
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Shaheen MNF, Elmahdy EM, Chawla-Sarkar M. Quantitative PCR-based identification of enteric viruses contaminating fresh produce and surface water used for irrigation in Egypt. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:21619-21628. [PMID: 31129895 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05435-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Fresh produce irrigated with surface water that may contain pathogens such as enteric viruses can lead to outbreaks of foodborne viral illnesses. In the current study, we performed real-time PCR (qPCR) to monitor the presence of enteric viruses such as human adenoviruses (HAdVs), hepatitis A virus (HAV), rotavirus group A (RVA), and norovirus GI (NoV GI) in surface water and fresh produce that were grown using this surface water in Egypt. Samples were collected on four occasions from different sites located in the Delta and in Greater Cairo, Egypt. Of the 32 water samples and 128 fresh produce samples, 27/32 (84.3%) and 99/128 (77.3%), respectively, were positive for at least one virus. HAdV (30/32) with a mean viral load = 1.5 × 107 genome copies/L (GC/L) was the most commonly detected virus in water, followed by RVA (16/32, with a mean viral load = 2.7 × 105 GC/L), HAV (11/32, with a mean viral load = 1.2 × 104 GC /L), and NoV GI (10/32, with a mean viral load = 3.5 × 103 GC/L). Additionally, HAdV (71/128, with a mean viral load = 9.8 × 105 GC/g) was also the most commonly detected virus in the fresh produce, followed by NoV GI (43/128, with a mean viral load = 4.5 × 103 GC/g), HAV (33/128, with a mean viral load = 6.4 × 103 GC/g), and RVA (25/128, with a mean viral load = 1.5 × 104 GC/g). Our results indicate that fresh produce may be contaminated with a wide range of enteric viruses, and these viruses may originate from virus-contaminated irrigation water. Moreover, this fresh produce may serve as a potential vector for the transmission of viral foodborne illnesses. These findings are important for future risk assessment analysis related to water/foodborne viruses. Graphical abstract . Please provide caption for Graphical AbstractGraphical abstract showing sample collection and processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed N F Shaheen
- Environmental Virology Laboratory, Water Pollution Research Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt.
| | - Elmahdy M Elmahdy
- Environmental Virology Laboratory, Water Pollution Research Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Mamta Chawla-Sarkar
- Division of Virology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Scheme-XM, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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32
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Shin H, Park H, Seo DJ, Jung S, Yeo D, Wang Z, Park KH, Choi C. Foodborne Viruses Detected Sporadically in the Fresh Produce and Its Production Environment in South Korea. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2019; 16:411-420. [DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2018.2580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hansaem Shin
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunkyung Park
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Joo Seo
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Soontag Jung
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Daseul Yeo
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhaoqi Wang
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Hwan Park
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Republic of Korea
- Bio and Environmental Technology Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Changsun Choi
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Republic of Korea
- Bio and Environmental Technology Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Republic of Korea
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33
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Cook N, Williams L, D'Agostino M. Prevalence of Norovirus in produce sold at retail in the United Kingdom. Food Microbiol 2019; 79:85-89. [PMID: 30621879 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
To acquire data on contamination with Norovirus in berry fruit and salad vegetables in the United Kingdom, one thousand one hundred and fifty two samples of fresh produce sold at retail in the UK were analysed for Norovirus. Of 568 samples of lettuce, 30 (5.3%) were Norovirus-positive. Most (24/30) lettuce samples which tested positive for Norovirus were grown in the UK and 19 of those 24 samples contained NoV GI. Seven/310 (2.3%) samples of fresh raspberries were Norovirus-positive. Most (6/7) of the positively-testing fresh raspberry samples were imported, but no predominance of a genogroup, or any seasonality, was observed. Ten/274 (3.6%) samples of frozen raspberries were Norovirus-positive. The country of origin of the positively-testing frozen raspberry samples was not identified in most (7/10) instances. The collected data add to the currently limited body of prevalence information on Norovirus in fresh produce, and indicate the need for implementation of effective food safety management of foodborne viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Cook
- Jorvik Food and Environmental Virology Ltd, York, UK; Fera Science Ltd, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK.
| | | | - Martin D'Agostino
- Fera Science Ltd, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK; Campden BRI, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6LD, UK
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Dawley C, Gibson KE. Virus–Bacteria Interactions: Implications for Prevention and Control of Human Enteric Viruses from Environment to Host. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2019; 16:81-89. [DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2018.2543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cailin Dawley
- Department of Food Science, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
| | - Kristen E. Gibson
- Department of Food Science, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
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Abstract
A gastrointestinal outbreak was reported among 154 diners who attended a Christmas buffet on the 9 and 10 December 2016. A retrospective cohort study was undertaken. Faecal samples, water, ice and an air ventilation device were tested for indicators and routine pathogens. Altogether 26% (24/91) fulfilled the case definition of having typical viral gastrointestinal symptoms. Norovirus genogroup I was detected in faecal samples from three cases. One of these cases tested positive also for sapovirus and had a family member testing positive for both norovirus and sapovirus. A diner who drank water or drinks with ice cubes (risk ratios (RR) 6.5, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.5–113.0) or both (RR 8.2, 95% CI 1.7–145.5) had an increased risk in a dose-response manner. Ice cubes from three vending machines had high levels of heterotrophic bacteria. A faulty air ventilation valve in the space where the ice cube machine was located was considered a likely cause of this outbreak. Leaking air ventilation valves may represent a neglected route of transmission in viral gastrointestinal outbreaks.
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Yeargin T, Gibson KE. Key characteristics of foods with an elevated risk for viral enteropathogen contamination. J Appl Microbiol 2018; 126:996-1010. [PMID: 30244501 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Viral enteropathogens are one of the leading causative agents of foodborne illnesses in both the United States and the European Union. While human noroviruses and hepatitis A virus cause the vast majority of outbreaks and illnesses, there are handful of human enteric viruses that contribute to sporadic outbreaks worldwide including astrovirus, sapovirus, rotavirus, enterovirus and Aichi virus. In addition, hepatitis E virus is increasingly being recognized as an emerging zoonotic threat within the food supply. This review aims to briefly describe the primary human enteric viruses of concern with respect to foodborne transmission. Next, we focus on the contamination and persistence of these viruses within three high-risk food commodities-leafy greens, soft red fruits and bivalve mollusks. As opposed to detailing the specific routes by which these foods can be contaminated with enteric viruses, we have chosen to focus on their persistence and specific interactions within the food itself. Therefore, the processes of attachment and internalization of the viruses in foods have been emphasized. Looking forward, the implications of these specific interactions of human enteric viruses with leafy greens, soft red fruits and bivalve mollusks are briefly considered within the context of future prevention and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Yeargin
- Division of Agriculture, Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - K E Gibson
- Division of Agriculture, Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
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King NJ, Hewitt J, Perchec-Merien AM. Hiding in Plain Sight? It's Time to Investigate Other Possible Transmission Routes for Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Developed Countries. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2018; 10:225-252. [PMID: 29623595 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-018-9342-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Historically in developed countries, reported hepatitis E cases were typically travellers returning from countries where hepatitis E virus (HEV) is endemic, but now there are increasing numbers of non-travel-related ("autochthonous") cases being reported. Data for HEV in New Zealand remain limited and the transmission routes unproven. We critically reviewed the scientific evidence supporting HEV transmission routes in other developed countries to inform how people in New Zealand may be exposed to this virus. A substantial body of indirect evidence shows domesticated pigs are a source of zoonotic human HEV infection, but there is an information bias towards this established reservoir. The increasing range of animals in which HEV has been detected makes it important to consider other possible animal reservoirs of HEV genotypes that can or could infect humans. Foodborne transmission of HEV from swine and deer products has been proven, and a large body of indirect evidence (e.g. food surveys, epidemiological studies and phylogenetic analyses) support pig products as vehicles of HEV infection. Scarce data from other foods suggest we are neglecting other potential sources of foodborne HEV infection. Moreover, other transmission routes are scarcely investigated in developed countries; the role of infected food handlers, person-to-person transmission via the faecal-oral route, and waterborne transmission from recreational contact or drinking untreated or inadequately treated water. People have become symptomatic after receiving transfusions of HEV-contaminated blood, but it is unclear how important this is in the overall hepatitis E disease burden. There is need for broader research efforts to support establishing risk-based controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola J King
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 34 Kenepuru Drive, Kenepuru, Porirua, 5022, New Zealand
| | - Joanne Hewitt
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 34 Kenepuru Drive, Kenepuru, Porirua, 5022, New Zealand.
| | - Anne-Marie Perchec-Merien
- New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand
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Cook N, Bertrand I, Gantzer C, Pinto RM, Bosch A. Persistence of Hepatitis A Virus in Fresh Produce and Production Environments, and the Effect of Disinfection Procedures: A Review. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2018; 10:253-262. [PMID: 29761412 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-018-9349-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Although 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 disinfection procedures. On vegetables, HAV can remain infectious for several days; on frozen berries, it can persist for several months. HAV can remain infectious on surfaces for months, depending on temperature and relative humidity, and can survive desiccation. It can survive for several hours on hands. Washing hands can remove the virus, but further data are required on the appropriate procedure. Chlorination is effective in water, but not when HAV is associated with foodstuffs. Bleach and other sodium hypochlorite disinfectants at high concentrations can reduce HAV on surfaces, but are not suitable for use on fresh produce. There is only limited information on the effects of heating regimes used in the food industry on HAV. HAV is resistant to mild pasteurisation. Some food components, e.g. fats and sugars, can increase the virus' resistance to higher temperatures. HAV is completely eliminated by boiling. Quantitative prevalence data are needed to allow the setting of appropriate disinfection log reduction targets for fresh produce.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Cook
- Food and Environment Research Agency, York, UK.
- Jorvik Food and Environmental Virology Ltd., York, UK.
| | - I Bertrand
- Université de Lorraine, LCPME (Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement), UMR 7564, Faculté de Pharmacie, 54000, Nancy, France
- CNRS, LCPME, UMR 7564, 54000, Nancy, France
- Institut Jean Barriol, Université de Lorraine, Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, 54506, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - C Gantzer
- Université de Lorraine, LCPME (Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement), UMR 7564, Faculté de Pharmacie, 54000, Nancy, France
- CNRS, LCPME, UMR 7564, 54000, Nancy, France
- Institut Jean Barriol, Université de Lorraine, Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, 54506, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - R M Pinto
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Bosch
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Kantala T, Maunula L. Hepatitis E virus: zoonotic and foodborne transmission in developed countries. Future Virol 2018. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2018-0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), together with hepatitis A virus, transmits via the fecal–oral route. The number of domestic hepatitis E cases among Europeans has grown alarmingly during the past 5 years. Surveillance studies suggest that the number of foodborne HEV infections is increasing most rapidly. Zoonotic HEV genotype HEV-3 is prevalent among pigs and wild boars in Europe and many developed countries, whereas zoonotic genotype HEV-4 is more common in pigs in some Asian countries. This review presents the most recent data about possible foodborne transmission of HEV via pigs and other production animals and about the presence of HEV in high-risk foods, such as ready-to-eat meat products. Possible solutions about how to tackle this problem are discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuija Kantala
- Department of Food Hygiene & Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Mustialankatu 3, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leena Maunula
- Department of Food Hygiene & Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
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40
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Randazzo W, Vásquez-García A, Bracho MA, Alcaraz MJ, Aznar R, Sánchez G. Hepatitis E virus in lettuce and water samples: A method-comparison study. Int J Food Microbiol 2018; 277:34-40. [PMID: 29680694 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV), which is an increasing cause of acute viral hepatitis in Europe, is a zoonotic virus that is mainly transmitted through contaminated water, consumption of raw or undercooked meat from pigs or wild boar, blood transfusion, and organ transplantation. Although the role of HEV transmission through contaminated produce has not been confirmed, the presence of HEV has been reported in irrigation waters and in vegetables. The present study used a World Health Organization (WHO) international standard and clinical samples to evaluate the performance characteristics of three RT-qPCR assays for detection and quantification of HEV. Two of the evaluated assays provided good analytical sensitivity, as 250 international units (IU) per ml could be detected. Then, experiments focused on evaluating the elution conditions suitable for HEV release from vegetables, with the method proposed by the ISO 15216:2017 selected for evaluation in three types of fresh vegetables. The concentration method proposed by the ISO 15216:2017 combined with the RT-qPCR described by Schlosser et al. (2014) resulted in average HEV recoveries of 1.29%, 0.46%, and 3.95% in lettuce, spinach, and pepper, respectively, with an average detection limit of 1.47 × 105 IU/25 g. In naturally contaminated samples, HEV was detected in sewage only (10/14), while no detection was reported in lettuce (0/36) or in irrigation water samples (0/24).
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Randazzo
- Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Av. Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain; Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, IATA-CSIC, Av. Agustín Escardino 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrea Vásquez-García
- Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, 13635-900 Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria A Bracho
- Joint Research Unit in Infection and Public Health, FISABIO-Public Health - University of Valencia, Av. Catalunya, 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Jesús Alcaraz
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Av. Blasco Ibañez, 17, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosa Aznar
- Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Av. Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain; Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, IATA-CSIC, Av. Agustín Escardino 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gloria Sánchez
- Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, IATA-CSIC, Av. Agustín Escardino 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
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Abravanel F, Pique J, Couturier E, Nicot F, Dimeglio C, Lhomme S, Chiabrando J, Saune K, Péron JM, Kamar N, Evrard S, de Valk H, Cintas P, Izopet J. Acute hepatitis E in French patients and neurological manifestations. J Infect 2018; 77:220-226. [PMID: 29966614 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. However, our understanding of the source of contamination is incomplete and the frequency of neurological manifestations in still unknown. METHODS 200 eligible cases reported to the French National Reference Center from January 2015 to December 2015 were prospectively included in this case-control study (1 case: 1 control, matched for sex, age and area of living) to investigate the risk of infection. We documented the factors associated with their HEV infection and clinical manifestations. RESULTS The 200 HEV-infected patients included 137 who were immunocompetent and 63 immunocompromised. The factors associated with an HEV infection were contact with farm animals, eating pork liver sausage and eating unpeeled fruit. The 33 patients (16.5%) who reported neurological symptoms included 14 with neuropathic pain suggesting small fiber neuropathy, 9 with painless sensory disorders, 6 with Parsonage-Turner syndrome, one Guillain-Barre syndrome, one meningitis, one encephalitis and one diplopia. Neurological manifestations were more frequent in immunocompetent patients (22.6% vs 3.2%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the risk of HEV transmission by the environment in industrialized countries. The higher frequency of neurological disorders in immunocompetent patients suggests pathophysiological mechanisms involving the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Abravanel
- UMR Inserm, U1043; UMR CNRS, U5282, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan (CPTP), Toulouse, F-31300, France; CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, Laboratoire de virologie, Centre national de référence du virus de l'hépatite E, Toulouse, F-31300 France.
| | - Julie Pique
- CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, Département de Neurologie, Toulouse, F-31300 France
| | | | - Florence Nicot
- CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, Laboratoire de virologie, Centre national de référence du virus de l'hépatite E, Toulouse, F-31300 France
| | - Chloé Dimeglio
- CHU Toulouse, Unité de soutien méthodologique à la recherche, Toulouse, F-31300 France; Inserm U1027, Université Toulouse III, Toulouse, F-31300 France
| | - Sébastien Lhomme
- UMR Inserm, U1043; UMR CNRS, U5282, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan (CPTP), Toulouse, F-31300, France; CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, Laboratoire de virologie, Centre national de référence du virus de l'hépatite E, Toulouse, F-31300 France
| | - Julie Chiabrando
- CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, Laboratoire de virologie, Centre national de référence du virus de l'hépatite E, Toulouse, F-31300 France
| | - Karine Saune
- UMR Inserm, U1043; UMR CNRS, U5282, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan (CPTP), Toulouse, F-31300, France; CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, Laboratoire de virologie, Centre national de référence du virus de l'hépatite E, Toulouse, F-31300 France
| | - Jean-Marie Péron
- CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, Département de Gastroentérologie, Toulouse, F-31300 France
| | - Nassim Kamar
- UMR Inserm, U1043; UMR CNRS, U5282, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan (CPTP), Toulouse, F-31300, France; CHU de Toulouse, Hôpital Rangueil, Service de néphrologie, Dialyse et Transplantation d'Organe, Toulouse, F-31300 France
| | - Solène Evrard
- CHU Toulouse, Institut Universitaire du Cancer, Département d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques, Toulouse, F-31300 France
| | | | - Pascal Cintas
- CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, Département de Neurologie, Toulouse, F-31300 France
| | - Jacques Izopet
- UMR Inserm, U1043; UMR CNRS, U5282, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan (CPTP), Toulouse, F-31300, France; CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, Laboratoire de virologie, Centre national de référence du virus de l'hépatite E, Toulouse, F-31300 France
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Hepatitis E in High-Income Countries: What Do We Know? And What Are the Knowledge Gaps? Viruses 2018; 10:v10060285. [PMID: 29799485 PMCID: PMC6024799 DOI: 10.3390/v10060285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a positive-strand RNA virus transmitted by the fecal–oral route. HEV genotypes 1 and 2 infect only humans and cause mainly waterborne outbreaks. HEV genotypes 3 and 4 are widely represented in the animal kingdom, and are mainly transmitted as a zoonosis. For the past 20 years, HEV infection has been considered an imported disease in developed countries, but now there is evidence that HEV is an underrecognized pathogen in high-income countries, and that the incidence of confirmed cases has been steadily increasing over the last decade. In this review, we describe current knowledge about the molecular biology of HEV, its clinical features, its main routes of transmission, and possible therapeutic strategies in developed countries.
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Kauppinen A, Miettinen IT. Persistence of Norovirus GII Genome in Drinking Water and Wastewater at Different Temperatures. Pathogens 2017; 6:pathogens6040048. [PMID: 29019921 PMCID: PMC5750572 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens6040048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human norovirus (NoV) causes waterborne outbreaks worldwide suggesting their ability to persist and survive for extended periods in the environment. The objective of this study was to determine the persistence of the NoV GII genome in drinking water and wastewater at three different temperatures (3 °C, 21 °C, and 36 °C). The persistence of two NoV GII inoculums (extracted from stool) and an indigenous NoV GII were studied. The samples were collected for up to one year from drinking water and for up to 140 days from wastewater. Molecular methods (RT-qPCR) were used to assess the decay of the NoV genome. Decay rate coefficients were determined from the fitted decay curves using log-linear and/or non-linear model equations. Results showed significant differences in the decay kinetics of NoV genome between the temperatures, matrices, and virus strains. The persistence of NoV was higher in drinking water compared to wastewater, and the cold temperature assisted persistence at both matrices. Differences between the persistence of NoV strains were also evident and, particularly, indigenous NoVs persisted better than spiked NoVs in wastewater. The decay constants obtained in this study can be utilized to assess the fate of the NoV genome in different water environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Kauppinen
- Department of Health Security, Expert Microbiology Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Ilkka T Miettinen
- Department of Health Security, Expert Microbiology Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland.
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Donnelly MC, Scobie L, Crossan CL, Dalton H, Hayes PC, Simpson KJ. Review article: hepatitis E-a concise review of virology, epidemiology, clinical presentation and therapy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2017; 46:126-141. [PMID: 28449246 DOI: 10.1111/apt.14109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of acute icteric hepatitis and acute liver failure in the developing world. During the last decade, there has been increasing recognition of autochthonous (locally acquired) HEV infection in developed countries. Chronic HEV infection is now recognised, and in transplant recipients this may lead to cirrhosis and organ failure. AIM To detail current understanding of the molecular biology of HEV, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and propose future directions for basic science and clinical research. METHODS PubMed was searched for English language articles using the key words "hepatitis E", "viral hepatitis", "autochthonous infection", "antiviral therapy", "liver transplantation", "acute", "chronic", "HEV", "genotype", "transmission" "food-borne", "transfusion". Additional relevant publications were identified from article reference lists. RESULTS There has been increasing recognition of autochthonous HEV infection in Western countries, mainly associated with genotype 3. Chronic HEV infection has been recognised since 2008, and in transplant recipients this may lead to cirrhosis and organ failure. Modes of transmission include food-borne transmission, transfusion of blood products and solid organ transplantation. Ribavirin therapy is used to treat patients with chronic HEV infection, but new therapies are required as there have been reports of treatment failure with ribavirin. CONCLUSIONS Autochthonous HEV infection is a clinical issue with increasing burden. Future work should focus on increasing awareness of HEV infection in the developed world, emphasising the need for clinicians to have a low threshold for HEV testing, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. Patients at potential risk of chronic HEV infection must also be educated and given advice regarding prevention of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Donnelly
- Department of Hepatology and Scottish Liver Transplant Unit, University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - L Scobie
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - C L Crossan
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - H Dalton
- Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust and European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter, Truro, UK
| | - P C Hayes
- Department of Hepatology and Scottish Liver Transplant Unit, University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - K J Simpson
- Department of Hepatology and Scottish Liver Transplant Unit, University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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45
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Ricci A, Allende A, Bolton D, Chemaly M, Davies R, Fernandez Escamez PS, Herman L, Koutsoumanis K, Lindqvist R, Nørrung B, Robertson L, Ru G, Sanaa M, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Snary E, Speybroeck N, Ter Kuile B, Threlfall J, Wahlström H, Di Bartolo I, Johne R, Pavio N, Rutjes S, van der Poel W, Vasickova P, Hempen M, Messens W, Rizzi V, Latronico F, Girones R. Public health risks associated with hepatitis E virus (HEV) as a food-borne pathogen. EFSA J 2017; 15:e04886. [PMID: 32625551 PMCID: PMC7010180 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important infection in humans in EU/EEA countries, and over the last 10 years more than 21,000 acute clinical cases with 28 fatalities have been notified with an overall 10-fold increase in reported HEV cases; the majority (80%) of cases were reported from France, Germany and the UK. However, as infection in humans is not notifiable in all Member States, and surveillance differs between countries, the number of reported cases is not comparable and the true number of cases would probably be higher. Food-borne transmission of HEV appears to be a major route in Europe; pigs and wild boars are the main source of HEV. Outbreaks and sporadic cases have been identified in immune-competent persons as well as in recognised risk groups such as those with pre-existing liver damage, immunosuppressive illness or receiving immunosuppressive treatments. The opinion reviews current methods for the detection, identification, characterisation and tracing of HEV in food-producing animals and foods, reviews literature on HEV reservoirs and food-borne pathways, examines information on the epidemiology of HEV and its occurrence and persistence in foods, and investigates possible control measures along the food chain. Presently, the only efficient control option for HEV infection from consumption of meat, liver and products derived from animal reservoirs is sufficient heat treatment. The development of validated quantitative and qualitative detection methods, including infectivity assays and consensus molecular typing protocols, is required for the development of quantitative microbial risk assessments and efficient control measures. More research on the epidemiology and control of HEV in pig herds is required in order to minimise the proportion of pigs that remain viraemic or carry high levels of virus in intestinal contents at the time of slaughter. Consumption of raw pig, wild boar and deer meat products should be avoided.
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46
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Hepatitis E Virus in Industrialized Countries: The Silent Threat. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:9838041. [PMID: 28070522 PMCID: PMC5192302 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9838041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Its presence in developing countries has been documented for decades. Developed countries were supposed to be virus-free and initially only imported cases were detected in those areas. However, sporadic and autochthonous cases of HEV infection have been identified and studies reveal that the virus is worldwide spread. Chronic hepatitis and multiple extrahepatic manifestations have also been associated with HEV. We review the data from European countries, where human, animal, and environmental data have been collected since the 90s. In Europe, autochthonous HEV strains were first detected in the late 90s and early 2000s. Since then, serological data have shown that the virus infects quite frequently the European population and that some species, such as pigs, wild boars, and deer, are reservoirs. HEV strains can be isolated from environmental samples and reach the food chain, as shown by the detection of the virus in mussels and in contaminated pork products as sausages or meat. All these data highlight the need of studies directed to control the sources of HEV to protect immunocompromised individuals that seem the weakest link of the HEV epidemiology in industrialized regions.
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