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Optimization of Methods for Detecting Hepatitis A Virus in Food

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Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is currently recognized as an important human food borne pathogen, and it is one of the most resistant enteric RNA viruses, is highly infectious, and may lead to widespread outbreaks. The aim of this study was to optimize the methods to detect HAV from artificially contaminated food. To this end, strawberry and lettuce were experimentally contaminated with HAV suspension containing 6 × 106 copies/ml. After contamination, HAV persistence and washing procedure were evaluated at 0, 1, 3, 7, and 9 days of storage. Five elution buffers (PBS (pH 7.4)/0.1% Tween80; 50 mM glycine/3% (wt/vol) beef extract (pH 9.5); PBS (pH 7, 4); 25 mM glycine/0.1 Tween80; and 1 M sodium bicarbonate) were used to elute the virus, and qualitative and quantitative PCR were used for HAV detection. HAV was detected by qualitative and quantitative PCR using any of the five elution buffers, but PBS was the most effective. Even after washing, HAV was detected up to 9 days after contamination by quantitative PCR. Quantitative PCR was more sensitive than qualitative PCR since samples containing viral load lower than 1.4 × 103 copies/ml could not be detected by qualitative PCR. Quantitative PCR can be used for rapid detection of food borne viruses and will help in the monitoring and control of food borne disease.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank to Simone Teves and Renata Aloise for technical assistance. This work was supported by the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico Viral, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Avenida Brasil 4365, Pav. Helio e Peggy Pereira, CEP 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    V. S. de Paula & A. M. C. Gaspar

  2. Laboratório de Hepatites Virais, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    L. M. Villar

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  1. V. S. de Paula
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  2. A. M. C. Gaspar
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  3. L. M. Villar
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Correspondence to V. S. de Paula.

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de Paula, V.S., Gaspar, A.M.C. & Villar, L.M. Optimization of Methods for Detecting Hepatitis A Virus in Food. Food Environ Virol 2, 47–52 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-010-9027-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-010-9027-4

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