GII.4 human norovirus and G8P[1] bovine-like rotavirus in oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from Argentina

MOZGOVOJ, M.; MIÑO, S.; BARBIERI, E.S.; TORT, F.L.; VICTORIA-MONTERO, M.; FRYDMAN, C.; CAP, M.; BARON, P.J.; COLINA, R.; MATTHIJNSSENS, J.; PARREÑO, V.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2022 vol. 365

0168-1605

Bivalve mollusks have been widely recognized as an important source of foodborne viruses. The aim of this work was to determine the presence of norovirus (NoV) and rotavirus (RVA) in Pacific cupped oysters (Crassostrea Gigas) from Buenos Aires, Argentina. A total of 88 oysters were processed. 7% of pooled samples resulted positive for NoV GII by RT-qPCR.The nucleotide analysis showed that it was closely related to Gil.4/Sydney. Regarding RVA, 21% were positive by RT-qPCR ta. targeting the NSP3 gene. RVA from one pool was isolated in cell culture and infective viral particles were evidenced by immunofluorescence. The genotype constellation of RVNOyste r-wt/Crassostrea gigas_BA/2015/G8P[l] isolated strain was G8-P[l]·I2·R2·C2-M2·A3-N2-T6-E2·H3, which has a bovine-like genome backbone. Notably, RVA possesses an E2 genotype which is different from the characteristic El 2 genotype of RVA circulating in animal species from South America. Our findings evidence not only the presence of enteric viruses in oysters from Argentina but most important the viability of RVA. This result poses the need to implement surveillance programs to prevent potential foodborne viral outbreaks due to the consumption of contaminated shellfish.