Research on the prevalence of rotavirus, adenovirus and astrovirus in mussels and shrimps collected from different areas of Istanbul using real-time PCR method

Viruses are one of the most common pathogens transmitted via food. Viral contamination can occur mainly through sewage pollution of the environment. Vegetables, shellfish and a great variety of ready-to-eat foods have been implicated in foodborne viral infections. Based on epidemiological evidence, human enteric viruses can be considered as the most commonly transmitted etiological agents by bivalve shellfish. Shrimps and mussels are frequently sold along the shores of Istanbul. In this study, mussel and shrimp samples collected and sold in Istanbul were tested for the prevalence of adenovirus, rotavirus and astrovirus using Real-time PCR method. For this purpose, 8 kg shrimp samples were collected in April (2017) from different fishing boats from the Gürpınar seafood market in Beylikdüzü county and divided into 20 groups of 400 gram each. 3.2 kg shrimp samples were collected from the Mimarsinan fishers port in Büyükçekmece county and divided into 8 groups of 400 grams each. Moreover, in April (2017), a total of 500 mussel samples were collected from fishing boats in the Gürpınar seafood market in Beylikdüzü county and divided into 20 groups with each group containing 25 pieces. 350 mussel samples were collected from fish selling shops in Rumeli Kavağı county and divided into 13 groups with each containing 25 pieces. 500 mussel samples were collected from restaurants in Beyoğlu county and divided into 19 groups of 25 pieces. It was made sure that all samples were collected lively, unprocessed and not exposed to any chemicals. After collection, for each of the total 52 mussel samples and 28 shrimp samples, 18-22 grams of digestive tissue were extracted and analyzed with Real-time PCR method. Of the total 52 tested mussel sample groups (1350 pieces), 24 groups (46.15%) contained adenovirus, 33 groups (63.46%) contained astrovirus and 21 groups (40.38%) contained both astrovirus and adenovirus. Rotavirus was not detected in any of the tested mussel samples. Rotavirus, adenovirus and astrovirus were not detected in any of the analyzed shrimp samples. The fact that adenovirus and astrovirus were detected in high ratios in the tested mussel samples, which were collected from fishing boats, fish shops or restaurants in Istanbul, indicates the necessity of further research in the field of enteric viruses as a significant issue from the perspective of both food safety and public health.