Research Publications (Food Safety)

The detection of viruses and bacteria which can pose a threat either to shellfish health or shellfish consumers remains difficult. The current detection methods rely on point sampling of water, a method that gives a snapshot of the microorganisms present at the time of sampling. In order to obtain better representativeness of the presence of these microorganisms over time, we have developed passive sampling using the adsorption capacities of polymer membranes.

The fecal indicator organism (FIO) Escherichia coli is frequently used as a general indicator of sewage contamination and for evaluating the success of shellfish cleaning (depuration) processes. To evaluate the robustness of this approach, the accumulation, retention, and depuration of non-pathogenic E. coli, pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 and norovirus GII (NoV GII) RNA were evaluated using a combination of culture-based (E. coli) and molecular methods (E.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the standard method used for quantification of norovirus in oysters in Japan for the provisional adaptation of the method as an alternative to ISO 15216-1:2017, to conduct a Japan baseline survey of norovirus in oysters. For this purpose, the method provided by the Japan Committee for Standardization of Virus Detection in Food was subjected to an interlaboratory study to determine the performance characteristics of the standard method used in Japan.

The available cell-adapted hepatitis A virus (HAV) strains show a very slow replication phenotype hampering the affordable production of antigen. A fast-growing strain characterized by the occurrence of mutations in the internal ribosome entry site (IRES), combined with changes in the codon composition has been selected in our laboratory. A characterization of the IRES activity of this fast-growing strain (HM175-HP; HP) vs.

H7N9 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) infection in a human was first reported in 2017. A/duck/Japan/AQ-HE29-22/2017 (H7N9) (Dk/HE29-22), found in imported duck meat at an airport in Japan, possesses a hemagglutinin with a multibasic cleavage site, indicating high pathogenicity in chickens, as in the case of other H7 HPAIVs.

by Ziad Mansour, Jinan Arab, Racha Said, Alissar Rady, Randa Hamadeh, Bernard Gerbaka, Abdul Rahman Bizri

Introduction

Background Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a common reason for children to receive medical care. However, the viral etiology of AGE illness is not well described in the post–rotavirus vaccine era, particularly in the outpatient (OP) setting.

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.

A. Parys et al. We report a zoonotic infection of a pig farmer in the Netherlands with a Eurasian avian-like swine influenza A(H1N1) virus that was also detected in the farmed pigs. Both viruses were antigenically and genetically characterized. Continued surveillance of swine influenza A viruses is needed because of human infection risk.

Author(s): Jan Mei Soon, Iwan Vanany, Ikarastika Rahayu Abdul Wahab, Ruhil Hayati Hamdan, Mohd Hafiz Jamaludin

Author(s): Luisa Marti, Rosa Puertas, Jose M. García-Álvarez-Coque

Hepatitis A is a vaccine preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The occupational health nurse should be aware of the signs and symptoms of the virus, educate workers about the infection, and recommend immunization for workers traveling or working in high-risk areas for hepatitis A.

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, over an 18-month period.

The H9N2 avian influenza virus is not only an important zoonotic pathogen, it can also easily recombine with other subtypes to generate novel reassortments, such as the H7N9 virus. Although H9N2 live attenuated vaccines can provide good multiple immunities, including humoral, cellular, and mucosal immunity, the risk of reassortment between the vaccine strain and wild-type virus is still a concern.

Author(s): Eun Bi Jeon, Man-Seok Choi, Ji Yoon Kim, Eun Ha Choi, Jun Sup Lim, Jinsung Choi, Kwang Soo Ha, Ji Young Kwon, Sang Hyeon Jeong, Shin Young Park

Author(s): Takashi Kuda, Makoto Nishizawa, Daiki Toshima, Keiichiro Matsushima, Seiichiro Yoshida, Hajime Takahashi, Bon Kimura, Takashi Yamagishi

by Jeremy D. Baker, Rikki L. Uhrich, Gerald C. Kraemer, Jason E. Love, Brian C. Kraemer

by Alexandra I. Wells, Kalena A. Grimes, Kenneth Kim, Emilie Branche, Christopher J. Bakkenist, William H. DePas, Sujan Shresta, Carolyn B. Coyne

Author(s): Sangha Han, Ji yeon Jo, Sa Reum Park, Changsun Choi, Sang-Do Ha

Infection with H5N6 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus caused high mortality in chickens, while ducks often appear to be asymptomatic. But, some recent H5Nx subtype viruses could cause high mortality in ducks. The variation between different species and the mechanisms by which some H5Nx viruses cause death in ducks requires investigation to identify the key processes in influenza susceptibility and pathogenesis.

ABSTRACT

Norovirus is the most common etiology of diarrheal illness globally, causing both sporadic and epidemic infection. It is responsible for more than 200 000 deaths annually, primarily in children under 5 years of age in developing countries, and economic costs are estimated to be more than $64 billion annually [1, 2].

Background Norovirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, yet there is limited information on homotypic or heterotypic protection following natural infection to guide vaccine development. Methods A total of 6020 stools collected from 299 Peruvian children between 2010 and 2014 were tested by norovirus real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction followed by sequence-based genotyping.

by Brittany L. Kmush, Amelia M. Lu, Taylor Spillane, Bryce Hruska, Brooks B. Gump, Kestutis G. Bendinskas

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 undergo no or minimal pathogen reduction steps.