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Temperature-Dependent Persistence of Human Norovirus Within Oysters (Crassostrea virginica)

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Abstract

This study characterizes the persistence of human norovirus in Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) held at different seawater temperatures. Oysters were contaminated with human norovirus GI.1 (Norwalk strain 8FIIa) by exposing them to virus-contaminated water at 15 °C, and subsequently holding them at 7, 15, and 25 °C for up to 6 weeks. Viral RNA was extracted from oyster tissue and hemocytes and quantitated by RT-qPCR. Norovirus was detected in hemocytes and oysters held at 7 and 15 °C for 6 weeks and in hemocytes and oysters held at 25 °C for up to 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. Results confirm that NoV is quite persistent within oysters and demonstrate that cooler water temperatures extend norovirus clearance times. This study suggests a need for substantial relay times to remove norovirus from contaminated shellfish and suggests that regulatory authorities should consider the effects of water temperature after a suspected episodic norovirus-contamination event.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Gary Richards and Shiowshuh Sheen for critical reading of the manuscript. This work was made possible by intramural funding for the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service and a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2013R1A1A1064168). The US Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Mention of trade names or commercial products is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply a recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food and Nutrition, School of Food Science and Technology, College of Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Chung-Ang University, Ansung, 456-756, Republic of Korea

    Changsun Choi

  2. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Food Safety and Intervention Technologies, James W. W. Baker Center, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA

    David H. Kingsley

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  1. Changsun Choi
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  2. David H. Kingsley
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Correspondence to David H. Kingsley.

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Choi, C., Kingsley, D.H. Temperature-Dependent Persistence of Human Norovirus Within Oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Food Environ Virol 8, 141–147 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-016-9234-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-016-9234-8

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