Evaluation of Adenovirus and E. coli as indicators for human enteric viruses presence in mussels produced in La Spezia Gulf (Italy).

AIMS

The purpose of this work was to verify whether E. coli is a good indicator of viral contamination in mussels and Adenovirus could represent a better alternative as indicator organism of viral presence to guarantee consumer health protection.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eighty samples of mussels from La Spezia Gulf were analysed for E. coli, Salmonella, Adenovirus, Norovirus and hepatitis A virus with cultural and biomolecular tests. The results of bacterial parameters showed E. coli within the law's limits and the absence of Salmonella. Twelve samples were positive for Adenovirus presence, one for Norovirus genogroup II and two for hepatitis A virus. None of these positive mussels was found to be contaminated with more than one virus at the same time.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that there was not a direct correlation between the presence of human pathogenic viruses and bacterial indicators.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Both E. coli and Adenovirus cannot be considered valid substitutes for the direct research of human pathogenic viruses in mussels. To improve consumer health protection, the European Commission will provide standardized methods for Norovirus and hepatitis A virus detection as soon as possible.