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Quantitative RT-PCR detection of human noroviruses and hepatitis A virus in fresh produce and surface water used for irrigation in the Mansoura and Giza regions, Egypt

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Abstract

Surface water used as an irrigation source can be a significant source of viral contamination of fresh produce. Enteric viruses such as hepatitis A virus (HAV) and human norovirus genogroup I (HNoV GI) and genogroup II (HNoV GII) can be transmitted to human via fresh produce when irrigated with contaminated water or when prepared by infected food handlers. In the current study, we investigated the presence of HAV, HNoV GI and GII in fresh produce and surface water used in cultivation of this produce using real-time PCR. Samples were collected from six different points in the Mansoura and Giza regions, Egypt. Our analysis showed that at least one virus was found in 41.6% (30/72) of surface water samples and 27% (13/48) of fresh produce samples. HAV (23/72) with a mean viral concentration = 4 × 106 genome copies/litre (GC/L) was the most frequently identified virus in surface water samples, followed by human norovirus genogroup II (HNoV GII) (15/72, with a mean concentration = 1.2 × 106 GC/L, and human noroviruses genogroup I (HNoV GI) (12/72, with a mean concentration = 1.4 × 104 GC/L). Additionally, HAV (10/48) with a mean concentration = 5.2 × 105 genome copies/gram (GC/g) was also the most frequently detected virus in the fresh produce samples, followed by HNoV GII (8/48, with a mean concentration = 1.7 × 104 GC/g); meanwhile, HNoV GI (6/48) was less detected virus with a mean concentration = 3 × 103 GC/g. This work suggests a wide prevalence of human enteric viruses in surface waters and fresh produce, which is of concern when the fresh produce is eaten raw. Thus, additional monitoring for viral pathogens in irrigation water and food is needed to increase the awareness of this issue to rise the control measures to reduce illness from contaminated food.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Virology Laboratory, Water Pollution Research Department, Environment and Climate Change Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, 12622, Giza, Egypt

    Mohamed N. F. Shaheen & Elmahdy M. Elmahdy

  2. Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit, Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt

    Lamiaa H. I. Mahmoud, Ibtisam A. Hammad & Elham R. S. Soliman

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  1. Mohamed N. F. Shaheen
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  2. Elmahdy M. Elmahdy
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  3. Lamiaa H. I. Mahmoud
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Contributions

MNFS was the contributor in the plane design, performing RNA extraction and real time PCR, and data analysis as he was a major contributor in writing the manuscript. EME was the contributor in the plane design, performing RNA extraction and real time PCR, and data analysis. LHIM was the contributor in the sample collection, virus concentration, and in performing RNA extraction and real time PCR. IAH was the contributor in the plane design and data analysis as she revised the manuscript. ERSS was the contributor in the plane design, performing real time test, and data analysis as she revised the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mohamed N. F. Shaheen.

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Shaheen, M.N.F., Elmahdy, E.M., Mahmoud, L.H.I. et al. Quantitative RT-PCR detection of human noroviruses and hepatitis A virus in fresh produce and surface water used for irrigation in the Mansoura and Giza regions, Egypt. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 28139–28148 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-18412-3

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