Presence of potentially infectious human enteric viruses and antibiotic resistance genes in mussels from the Campania Region, Italy: implications for consumer’s safety

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of viral contamination and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) presence in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) (n=60) collected from retail stores in the Campania region (Italy). High prevalence of human noroviruses (HuNoV) genogroup I (GI) (77%) and gen...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Venutia, Iolanda, Cuevas Ferrando, Enric, Falcó, Irene, Girón Guzmán, Inés, Ceruso, Marina, Pepe, Tiziana, Sánchez Moragas, Gloria
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/389688
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/389688
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Foodborne viruses
Viability
RT-qPCR
ARGs
Food safety
viruses
food contamination
food safety
Descripción
Sumario:This study presents a comprehensive assessment of viral contamination and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) presence in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) (n=60) collected from retail stores in the Campania region (Italy). High prevalence of human noroviruses (HuNoV) genogroup I (GI) (77%) and genogroup II (GII) (40%), rotaviruses (RV) (60%), and astroviruses (HAstV) (25%) were found, with average levels of 4.34, 5.09, 5.05, and 4.00 Log genome copies (GC)/g, respectively. All samples tested negative for hepatitis A and E viruses. Viral faecal contamination indicators, including somatic coliphages (88%, 3.62 mean Log plaque forming units (PFU)/100g) and crAssphage (50%, 3.72 mean Log GC/g), showed strong correlations (ρ > 0.65, p-value < 0.05) with HuNoV GII, HAstV, and RV concentrations in mussels. The study also investigated the presence of respiratory viruses, with all samples testing negative for SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza A virus. Furthermore, a capsid-integrity RT-qPCR assay was applied to selected positive samples, confirming the presence of potentially infectious viruses and underscoring the associated risks to consumers. Additionally, ARGs were detected by qPCR, targeting beta-lactams, quinolones, and chloramphenicol resistance genes in both the total and the bacteriophage fractions of selected samples.