Distribution of norovirus in oyster tissues

Abstract

Aims: To study the distribution of norovirus (NV) in oyster tissues. Methods and Results: Five monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against VP1 were selected from Balb/c mice. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to detect native NV in different tissues of artificially contaminated oysters using the MAbs. The data showed that the gills and the digestive glands are efficient tissues for accumulation of the NV. In addition, the NV was found on the cilia of the mantle after filtering. In our study, only NV RNA in the gills could be detected by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. Conclusions: NV was bioaccumulated in the gills, stomach, digestive diverticula and cilia of the mantle. Furthermore, the results suggested that the viral load of the gills and the digestive glands is heavier than that of the other tissues. Significance and Impact of the Study: This, to our knowledge, is the first paper to report the distribution of NV in oyster tissues by immunoassay after artificial contamination. Further understanding of the NV distribution in oyster may help us to sample appropriate tissues for detection of the virus.

Bovine Norovirus: Carbohydrate Ligand, Environmental Contamination, and Potential Cross-Species Transmission via Oysters

“…Specific binding of human NoV strains to oyster tissues was previously shown to occur through interaction with carbohydrate ligands shared with humans, suggesting that oysters may select NoV strains present in the environment, based on the presence of specific carbohydrate ligands (17,36,40). Contamination of seawater by animal NoVs could thus potentially lead to a selection of strains recognizing shared carbohydrate motifs, thereby facilitating cross-species transmission to humans.…”

Hemocytes Are Sites of Enteric Virus Persistence within Oysters

“…Enteric viruses have previously been shown to be distributed throughout oyster tissues, such as in the gills and the digestive tract (33,54,55). To determine the proportion of viruses distributed within hemocytes compared to tissues, hemolymph was removed from whole oysters by direct draw with a pipette after shucking.…”

Comprehensive Analysis of a Norovirus-Associated Gastroenteritis Outbreak, from the Environment to the Consumer

“…As a result, most strains infect only a subset of the population, on the basis of HBGA expression (9,24,40). In addition, some strains of either GI or GII were shown to specifically attach to oyster tissues through the recognition of histo-blood group antigens (21,30,43,44), suggesting that oysters may act as selective filters, specifically concentrating strains that can recognize carbohydrate epitopes shared with humans.…”