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 virus. The aim of this workwas to determine the presence of norovirus (NoV) and rotavirus (RVA) in Pacific cupped oyster (Crassostrea gigas)from Buenos Aires, Argentina. A total of 88 oyster were processed. 7% of pooled samples resulted positive forNoV GII by RT-qPCR. The nucleotide analysis showed that it was closely related to GII.4/Sydney. Regarding RVA,21% were positive by RT-qPCR targeting the NSP3 gene. RVA from one pool was isolated in cell culture andinfective viral particles were evidenced by immunofluorescence. The genotype constellation of RVA/Oyster-wt/Crassostrea gigas_BA/2015/G8P[1] isolated strain was G8-P[1]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3, which has abovine-like genome backbone. Notably, RVA possesses an E2 genotype which is different from the characteristicE12 genotype of RVA circulating in animal species from South America. Our findings evidence not only thepresence of enteric viruses in oysters from Argentina, but most important the viability of RVA. This result posethe need to implement surveillance programs to prevent potential foodborne viral outbreaks due to the con-sumption of contaminated shellfish.