Norovirus Highly Prevalent In and Transmitted By Raw Oysters

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Yongjie Wang PhD

College of Food Science and Technology
Shanghai Ocean University
Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage & Preservation Ministry of Agriculture
Shanghai China

Medical Research: What is the background for this study?

Dr Wang: Norovirus (NoVs) are recognized as the most important food-borne viruses. They cause acute gastroenteritis in humans and infect people of all ages across the world. In our previous study, we found that approximate 90% of human norovirus sequences were discovered in the coastal regions in China, which likely result from the consumption of NoV-contaminated oysters. Oysters are well recognized as the main vectors of environmentally transmitted noroviruses, and disease outbreaks linked to oyster consumption have been commonly observed.

In order to gain a better understanding of how noroviruses are transmitted via oysters in the environment, we examined the genetic variants associated with oyster-related NoV outbreaks.

Medical Research: What are the main findings?

Dr Wang: A high degree of genetic diversity was observed for oyster-related noroviruses, and almost all the human norovirus genotypes were found in oyster-related norovirus sequences. These sequences were widely but unevenly distributed geographically, and most of them were detected in coastal regions. A higher frequency of GI strains was found in oyster-related than in human-related NoV sequences, while the yearly distributions of oyster-related sequences and human outbreak sequences were similar, indicating that oysters may act as a reservoir of noroviruses in the environment.

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr Wang: To avoid getting infected by norovirus, do not contact and consume raw shellfish, especially oysters.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr Wang:  First, determine how oysters enrich diverse norovirus genotypes.

Second, develop strategies to prevent norovirus contamination of oysters and norovirus transmission through oysters.

Citation:

Molecular epidemiology of oyster-related human noroviruses: Global genetic diversity and temporal-geographical distribution from 1983 to 2014

 Yongxin Yu, Hui Cai, Linghao Hu, Rongwei Lei, Yingjie Pan,  Shuling Yan, and Yongjie Wang

Appl. Environ. Microbiol. AEM.01729-15; Accepted manuscript posted online 28 August 2015, doi:10.1128/AEM.01729-15

[wysija_form id=”5″]

MedicalResearch.com is not a forum for the exchange of personal medical information, advice or the promotion of self-destructive behavior (e.g., eating disorders, suicide). While you may freely discuss your troubles, you should not look to the Website for information or advice on such topics. Instead, we recommend that you talk in person with a trusted medical professional.

The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.

 

Yongjie Wang PhD (2015). Norovirus Highly Prevalent In and Transmitted By Raw Oysters MedicalResearch.com

Last Updated on September 9, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

Tags: