Hepatitis E virus in lettuce and water samples: A method-comparison study
Por:
Randazzo W, Vásquez-García A, Bracho MA, Alcaraz MJ, Aznar R and Sánchez G
Publicada:
20 jul 2018
Resumen:
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 x 10(5) 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).
Filiaciones:
Randazzo W:
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
Vásquez-García A:
Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, 13635-900 Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil
:
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
Alcaraz MJ:
Microbiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Av. Blasco Ibañez, 17, 46010, Valencia, Spain
Aznar R:
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
Sánchez G:
Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, IATA-CSIC, Av. Agustín Escardino 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
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