Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the major cause of enterically transmitted infectious hepatitis. Between 2016 and 2017, the number of confirmed cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) increased from 64 to 786 in São Paulo affecting mainly adults aged between 18 and 39 years (80%) and males (88%). To support epidemiological surveillance, the present study monitored the presence of HAV in urban sewage samples collected

Fresh vegetables and shellfish are prone to microbial contamination through irrigation or breeding with sewage-polluted waters, as well as by infected food handlers. In this work, we studied the presence of human and bovine polyomaviruses and human norovirus in fresh lettuces, strawberries and oysters produced in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. In oysters, we also investigated F-specific RNA bacteriophages

The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in wastewater has been reported as a result of fecal shedding of infected individuals. In this study, the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was explored in primary-treated wastewater from two municipal wastewater treatment plants in Quintana Roo, Mexico, along with groundwater from sinkholes, a household well, and submarine

Norovirus is a major cause of foodborne-associated acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks worldwide. Usually, food products are contaminated either during harvesting or preparation, and the most common products associated to norovirus outbreaks are raw or undercooked bivalve shellfish, fruits (frozen berries) and ready-to-eat produce. In the present study, we investigated an AGE outbreak caused by norovirus

Human noroviruses impose a considerable health burden globally. Here, a flow cytometry approach designed for their detection in biological waste and food samples was developed using antibody-coated magnetic beads. Antipeptide antibodies against murine norovirus and various human norovirus genotypes were generated for capture and coated onto magnetic beads. A flow cytometry assay was then implemented

Foodborne viral illnesses are frequent worldwide and costly for the society. Human norovirus is one of the most common causal agents. Although some norovirus genotypes can now be cultured, surrogates are still used for inactivation studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different organic loads individually (artificial feces, real fecal matter, ASTM tripartite organic load, fetal

Biofilms can constitute permanent threats to food safety and public health. Bacteria and viruses lodged in biofilm can escape cleaning and sanitizing agents. The aim of this study was to compare Pseudomonas aeruginosa developing and mature biofilms produced on agri-food surfaces in terms of interaction with murine norovirus. Whether they were mature or still developing the biofilms apparently accumulated

Enteric viruses have been described as important contaminants in fresh and ready-to-eat foods such as sandwiches, deli meat and dairy products. This is a cross-sectional randomized survey to estimate the prevalence of norovirus and human adenovirus (HAdV) from 100 Brazilian artisanal raw milk cheese samples (Minas and Coalho) obtained from different agroindustries in four producing regions in the states

Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) has the potential to become a cheaper and faster option for monitoring COVID-19 infections through wastewater-based epidemiology. However, its application in COVID-19 surveillance has been limited to clinical testing only. We present in this paper two optimized RT-LAMP protocols based on colour change and fluorescence detection

Wastewater surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging public health tool to understand the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in communities. The performance of different virus concentration methods and PCR methods needs to be evaluated to ascertain their suitability for use in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. We evaluated ultrafiltration

In the present study, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was monitored in environmental samples from rural and vulnerable areas (a presidio, worker accommodation units, and river waters upstream and downstream of a rural community) from Minas Gerais State region, Southern Brazil, in August 2020. The sampling was performed prior to official declaration of the coronavirus

Human noroviruses (HuNoV) are the leading cause of gastrointestinal illness and environmental monitoring is crucial to prevent HuNoV outbreaks. The recent development of a HuNoV cell culture assay in human intestinal enteroids (HIEs) has enabled detection of infectious HuNoV. However, this complex approach requires adaptation of HIEs to facilitate HuNoV replication from environmental matrixes. Integrating

Roof-harvested rainwater (RHRW) is considered relatively clean water, even though the possible presence of pathogens in the water may pose human health risks. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of enteric viruses in the first flush (10 mm) of RHRW from a densely populated and low-income urbanized region of Rio de Janeiro. One hundred samples (5 L) were collected from 10 rainfall events between

We evaluated the SARS-CoV-2-inactivation activity of ozonated glycerol (OG). When a viral solution with 1% fetal bovine serum (FBS) was mixed with test solutions at a ratio of 1:19 and incubated for 20 s, OG with ozone concentrations of over 1000 ppm inactivated ≥ 94.38% of the virus. Extension of the reaction time to 1 h led to the inactivation of ≥ 99.82% of the virus (the viral titer was below the

Norovirus, the leading cause of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis (AGE) worldwide, is constantly mutating. Continuous monitoring of the evolution of epidemic genotypes and emergence of novel genotypes is, therefore, necessary. This study determined the prevalence and clinical characteristics of norovirus strains in AGE in Guangzhou, China in 2019/2020 season. This study included children aged 2–60 months

Water and wastewater virological quality is a significant public health issue. Viral agents include emerging and re-emerging pathogens characterized by extremely small size, and high environmental stability. Since the mainly used conventional disinfection methods are usually not able to achieve complete disinfection of viral and other microbial targets, in real water and wastewater matrices, effective

Phage therapy is revolving to address the issues mainly dealing with antibiotic resistance in the pathogenic bacteria. Among the drug-resistant microbial populations, the bacterial species have been categorized as high-priority or critical-priority bacteria. This review summarizes the efficiency and development in phage therapy used against these drug-resistant bacteria in the past few years mainly

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) was detected in frozen strawberries which had been implicated in a large outbreak of hepatitis A in 1997. The sample was analysed after over 20 years of storage, following a standard method not available at the time of the outbreak. This is the first study in which the HAV associated with the 1997 outbreak of foodborne hepatitis has finally been detected.

The objective of this study was to investigate human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) prevalence among the other respiratory viruses such as parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and non-enteric adenoviruses in clinical specimens of Egyptian children and raw sewage samples. One hundred clinical specimens were collected from Egyptian children suffering from upper and lower respiratory viral infections

Concentration of viruses in water is necessary for detection and quantification of the viruses present, in order to evaluate microbiological barriers in water treatment plants and detect pathogenic viruses during waterborne outbreaks, but there is currently no standardised procedure. In this study, we implemented a previously described fast and simple lanthanum-based protocol for concentration of norovirus

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-021-09478-w

In the last decade, the number of reported hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in Germany, including Bavaria, has continued to rise. In order to identify risk factors associated with HEV infection, we investigated notified hepatitis E cases from Bavaria during 2017. The project “Intensified Hepatitis E Surveillance in Bavaria” included interviews with questionnaires, collection and genotyping of stool

Pig’s blood and liver are valuable edible slaughter by-products which are also the major ingredients of offal-derived foodstuffs. The aim of the study was an evaluation of the occurrence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and porcine adenovirus (pAdV) as an index virus of faecal contamination in pig’s blood and liver for human consumption. In total, 246 samples of retail liver (n = 100) and pooled pig’s blood

Retail foodservice establishments (FSE) frequently utilize washes with sanitizing agents during fresh produce preparation. This study evaluated the efficacy of ozonated water on the inactivation of viruses, bacteria, and viruses in association with bacteria on produce surfaces. Boston bibb lettuce (BB) and cherry tomatoes were spot inoculated with viruses (murine norovirus (MNV) and MS2 bacteriophage)

Hydroponic production of vegetables is becoming more common, especially in regions with unfavorable climate for year-round crop production. However, if viruses are present in the hydroponics feed water, then there is a chance that infectious viruses will be internalized into the tissues of hydroponically grown vegetables. When this happens, surface sanitization of postharvest vegetables may not be

Dicistroviruses are members of a rapidly growing family of small RNA viruses. Related sequences have been discovered in many environmental samples, indicating that our knowledge about dicistrovirus diversity and host range is still limited. In this study, we performed a systematic search against the publicly available transcriptome database, and identified large numbers of dicistrovirus-like sequences

The aim of the study was to assess human norovirus and feline calicivirus (FCV) surface free energy, hydrophobicity, and ability to interact with fresh foods and food-contact surfaces. Virus-like particles (VLPs) of human norovirus (GI.1 and GII.4) and FCV were produced, purified, and analyzed for their surface free energy, hydrophobicity, and the total interfacial free energy of interaction \({(\Delta

Human sapovirus (SaV) is an important causative agent of nonbacterial gastroenteritis in humans. However, little is known about its circulation in China. To study the prevalence and diversity of human SaV genotypes circulating in eastern China, a 3-year environmental surveillance combined with next generation sequencing (NGS) technology was conducted. A total of 36 raw sewage samples were collected

Globally, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes over 20 million cases worldwide. HEV is an emerging and endemic pathogen within economically developed countries, chiefly resulting from infections with genotype 3 (G3) HEV. G3 HEV is known to be a zoonotic pathogen, with a broad host range. The primary source of HEV within more economically developed countries is considered to be pigs, and consumption of pork

Kinetics of hepatitis A virus (HAV) accumulation and depuration from mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) was studied in an experimental depuration system. Different parameters likely to influence the rate of virus accumulation and elimination were evaluated. Analyses were carried out by both real-time RT-qPCR and digital PCR. Results demonstrated that the animals start to concentrate the virus already

Seeking a means of sanitizing berries, the effectiveness of steady state levels of gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) against hepatitis A virus (HAV) on laboratory-contaminated berries was determined. The generated ClO2 was maintained with 1 or 2 mg/l air inside a 269-l glove box to treat 50 g batches of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, and 100 g batches of strawberries that were immersion

Human Enteroviruses (hEVs) are responsible for a wide variety of human diseases. During hEVs infection, virions are excreted in human feces and the fecal–oral route is the primary pathway for person-to-person transmission. Sewage surveillance could help in monitoring hEVs circulation and describing their diversity in a specific population. In this study, sewage samples collected in Buenos Aires Metropolitan

Norovirus contamination of oysters is the lead cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis and a significant food safety concern for the oyster industry. Here, norovirus reduction from Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas), contaminated in the marine environment, was studied in laboratory depuration trials and in two commercial settings. Norovirus concentrations were measured in oyster digestive tissue before

Human noroviruses (HuNoV) are among the main causes of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Frozen raspberries have been linked to several HuNoV food-related outbreaks. However, the extraction of HuNoV RNA from frozen raspberries remains challenging. Recovery yields are low, and real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-qPCR) inhibitors limit the sensitivity of the detection methodologies. A

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E, an emerging public health infection which has an increasing incidence across Europe. Because of the apparent lack of species barriers, HEV was characterized as a zoonotic agent. Swine are recognized as the main reservoir, but HEV is also found in wild animals such as ungulates, lagomorphs, and bats. Our work aimed at detecting the HEV presence

The quantification and trends in concentrations for naturally occurring rotaviruses (RV) and enteroviruses (EV) in untreated sewage in various wastewater systems have not often been compared. There is now greater interest in monitoring the infections in the community including live vaccine efficacy by evaluating untreated sewage. The goals of this study were to 1) survey the concentrations of naturally

The objective of this study was to use high-energy electron beam (HEEB) treatments to find surrogate microorganisms for enteric viruses and to use the selected surrogates as proof of concept to investigate low-energy electron beam (LEEB) treatments for enteric virus inactivation at industrial scale on frozen blueberries. Six food matrices inoculated with HAV (hepatitis A virus), MNV S99 (murine norovirus)

Oysters contaminated with human enteric viruses from sewage are implicated in foodborne outbreaks globally. Bacteriophages have been identified as potential indicators for these viruses, but have not been used in shellfish management outside of the USA. This study aimed to determine the background levels of F-RNA phage in five Australian oyster growing areas with a history of sewage spills and closures

Enteric viruses are a diverse group of human pathogens which are primarily transmitted by the faecal–oral route and are a major cause of non-bacterial diarrhoeal disease in both developed and developing countries. Because they are shed in high numbers by infected individuals and can persist for a long time in the environment, they pose a serious threat to human health globally. Enteric viruses end

Enteric viruses, such as human norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV), are the major causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide. These viruses have low infectious dose, and may remain infectious for weeks in the environment and food. Limited information is available regarding viral survival and transmission in low-moisture foods (LMF). LMFs are generally considered as ready-to-eat products, which

Unraveling the trends of phage-host versus phage-phage coevolution is critical for avoiding possible undesirable outcomes from the use of phage preparations intended for therapeutic, food safety or environmental safety purposes. We aimed to investigate a phenomenon of intergeneric recombination and its trajectories across the natural populations of phages predominantly linked to foodborne pathogens

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been frequently detected from pork liver and liver products, which can usually cause self-limiting diseases in healthy adults, yet may result in fatality in immunosuppressed groups. Nevertheless, there is so far no standardized method for HEV detection available from pork liver and/or liver products. The present study aimed to optimize the virus extraction method of HEV

Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), a plant pathogenic virus belonging to the family Virgoviridae, has been proposed as a potential viral indicator for human faecal pollution in aquatic environments. The present study investigated the occurrence, amount and diversity of PMMoV in water environments in Italy. A total of 254 water samples, collected between 2017 and 2019 from different types of water, were

Wastewater effluents are a reliable water source for non-potable water reuse including unrestricted crop irrigation in arid regions suffering from water scarcity. This study was performed to develop and optimize a procedure to concentrate coliphages from 100 L of treated effluent. Moreover, the reduction of coliphages by filtration and disinfection by either chlorine or UV was compared with that of

This study investigated the influence of viral interference on the detection of enteric viruses using the integrated cell culture (ICC)-PCR with a BGM cell line. It was possible to detect 102 plaque-forming units (PFU)/flask of enterovirus 71 (EV71) in spite of the presence of 104 PFU/flask of adenovirus 40 (AdV40). Meanwhile, 104 PFU/flask of AdV40 was not detected in the presence of 102 PFU/flask

Human noroviruses are a major cause for gastroenteritis outbreaks. Filter-feeding bivalve molluscs, which accumulate noroviruses in their digestive tissues, are a typical vector for human infection. RT-qPCR, the established method for human norovirus detection in food, does not allow discrimination between infectious and non-infectious viruses and can overestimate potentially infectious viral loads

Drinking water supplies in the developing world often serve as a biosphere for various organisms. Viral gastroenteritis is a neglected area of research in Pakistan, there are no data for the prevalence of enteric viruses in drinking water of the largest city of Karachi. The present study aimed to provide a survey of the existence of enteric viruses: human adenovirus (HAdV), human enteroviruses (hEV)

Cosaviruses (CoSV) and Saffold cardiovirus (SAFV) are novel members of the Picornaviridae family. The Matanza-Riachuelo river basin covers a total area of 2200 km2 with approximately 60 km long. Its last section is called Riachuelo River. The aim of this study was to describe the circulation of both picornaviruses and their relationship with the environmental situation of the Riachuelo River using

Lake Victoria is the primary source of water for millions of people in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. In recent years, population development around the lake has resulted in compromised sanitation standards resulting in increased faecal pollution of the lake. Consequently, this condition has increased the chances of waterborne enteric viruses, such as adenoviruses’ circulation in the community. Adenoviruses

The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological and molecular surveillance of rotaviruses in tap water, recycled water, and sewage sludge in Thailand from 2007 to 2018. Three hundred and seventy tap water, 202 recycled water, and 72 sewage sludge samples were collected and processed to detect the rotavirus VP7 gene using RT-nested PCR. Rotavirus G genotypes were identified by DNA sequencing

We present the results of environmental surveillance for poliovirus (PV) and non-poliovirus (NPEV) around the switch from trivalent to bivalent oral polio-vaccine (OPV) which occurred in China in May 2016. Sewage samples were collected in Jinan and Linyi city from 2015 to 2017. Enterovirus (EV) isolation, VP1 amplification, Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses were performed. Among105 sewage

The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic dictates that anti-contagion strategies should become matters of essential routine in everyday life. Fomite transference is one of the routes of transmission that has been considered for this virus. However, the risks associated with contaminated surfaces of food packaging kept in refrigerators have not yet been adequately assessed. In this study, a surrogate virus, Alphacoronavirus

Aichivirus 1 (AiV-1) is an enteric virus that has been documented to be the causative agent of diarrhea in humans. It is transmitted by fecal–oral route, through person-to-person contact, consumption of contaminated food or water, or recreation of contaminated water. AiV-1 is highly prevalent in water samples and has been proposed as a potential indicator of fecal contamination in water reservoirs

Norovirus (NoV) is an important etiological agent of diarrhea in children and adults. In Mexico, NoV screening is not routinely performed. NoV is highly infectious and is responsible for massive outbreaks due to the consumption of contaminated food. The study was a cross-sectional design. Samples of diarrheal stools were collected from (62) children and (38) adults with acute gastroenteritis during

Consumption of raw or unpasteurized milk is a risk for the consumers because indirect contaminations such as fecal-cross-contamination could occur and determine the presence of enteric viruses. In this study, milk was treated with several temperature and time combinations chosen by performing a preliminary experiment to evaluate the intervals needed to inactivate Hepatitis A virus (HAV) HM175 strain

The main animal reservoirs of zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) are domestic pigs and wild boars, but HEV also infects cervids. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of HEV in Finnish cervid species that are commonly hunted for human consumption. We investigated sera from 342 European moose (Alces alces), 70 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and 12 European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

The leading causes of foodborne viral disease outbreaks are human norovirus and hepatitis A virus (HAV). Their environmental persistence enables contamination of kitchen surfaces and crops often consumed raw, such as berries. Many decontamination procedures are inefficient and unsuitable for surfaces of industrial kitchen environments and soft fruits. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can cause acute and chronic hepatitis in humans. The zoonotic HEV genotype 3, which is highly prevalent in Europe, is mainly transmitted by consumption of raw meat and raw meat products produced from infected pigs or wild boars. High salt concentrations represent an important measure to preserve meat products and to inactivate foodborne pathogens. Here, an HEV preparation

Outside the host, viruses will eventually lose their ability to infect cells due to conformational changes that occur to proteins on the viral capsid. In order to undergo a conformational change, these proteins require energy to activate the chemical reaction that leads to the conformational change. In this study, data from the literature is used to calculate the energy required for viral inactivation