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The presence of Genogroup II Norovirus in Retail Shellfish from Seven Coastal Cities in China

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Abstract

Noroviruses (NoVs) are commonly occurring pathogens that cause gastroenteritis. Outbreaks of viral diseases have often been ascribed to the consumption of contaminated shellfish. Our objective was to evaluate the presence and contamination levels of NoV in shellfish sold at seafood markets in China. We tested 840 shellfish samples (Crassostrea gigas, Mytilus edulis, Azumapecten farreri, SinoNoVacula constricta, Scapharca subcrenata, Ruditapes philippinarum) that were collected from seven cities around the Yellow and Bohai Seas in China between December 2009 and November 2011. We used real-time RT-PCR to detect NoV in purified concentrates from the stomach and digestive diverticula of these shellfish. NoV was detected in 19.35 % (N = 155), 16.67 % (N = 114), 5.70 % (N = 158), 8.82 % (N = 136), 13.74 % (N = 131), and 16.44 % (N = 146) of oyster, mussel, scallop, razor clam, ark shell, and clam samples, respectively. The average detection rate was 13.33 % (112/840). Nucleotide sequencing of the NoV RT-PCR products demonstrated that all strains belonged to NoV genotype GII.12, except two that belonged to GI.3. More than 102 copies of the NoV genome were detected in 69 of 112 positive shellfish samples. Our results suggest that ~13 % of shellfish harbor NoV, and GII.12 NoV is the primary strain in shellfish purchased at markets in seven coastal cities in China.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Special Fund for Agro-Scientific Research in the Public Interest (No. 200903055).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Marine Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China

    Li-ping Ma, Feng Zhao, Lin Yao, Xin-guang Li, De-qing Zhou & Rui-ling Zhang

  2. College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China

    Li-ping Ma

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  1. Li-ping Ma
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Correspondence to De-qing Zhou.

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Ma, Lp., Zhao, F., Yao, L. et al. The presence of Genogroup II Norovirus in Retail Shellfish from Seven Coastal Cities in China. Food Environ Virol 5, 81–86 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-013-9102-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-013-9102-8

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