Research Publications (Food Safety)

Journal of Applied Microbiology, Volume 132, Issue 3, Page 1616-1635, March 2022. Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is characterized by the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in serum or liver but negativity for hepatitis B surface antigen. OBI, which is thought to be maintained by host, immunological, viral and/or epigenetic factors, is one of the most challenging clinical features in the study of viral hepatitis. Currently, there is no validated detection test for OBI.

Journal of Applied Microbiology, Accepted Article. Aim
To evaluate generally recognized as safe (GRAS) liquid wash formulations against hepatitis A virus‐contaminated strawberries and blackberries in order to identify a formulation suitable for reducing virus contamination.

Aims This study aims to investigate the presence and spatial‐seasonal variability of human and fish viruses in coastal marine systems using Ravenna’s harbor area (Adriatic Sea, Italy) as a model. Methods and Results Human viruses (noroviruses and hepatitis A virus) and one of the most threatening finfish pathogens, the nervous necrosis virus (NNV), were investigated in mussels living inside and offshore Ravenna’s harbor.

Food contaminated by hepatitis A virus (HAV) is responsible of the 2‐7% of all HAV outbreaks worldwide. This review provides a description of the HAV characteristics, its infectivity and epidemiological features. In addition, this review compiles existing original papers reporting HAV prevalence, viral titers in foodstuffs and the risk associated with food contamination.

Summary

Abstract

Aim

To assess the potential of a viability dye and an enzymatic RT-qPCR pretreatment to discriminate between infectious and non-infectious enteric viruses.

Abstract

Aim

To improve the efficacy of intercalating dyes to distinguishing between infectious and inactivated hepatitis A virus (HAV) in food.

Abstract

Aims

to investigate the presence of genomic traits associated with a set of enteric viruses as well as pathogenic Escherichia coli in Top Soil Improvers (TSI) from Italy

Methods

24 TSI samples originating from municipal sewage sludges, pig manure, green and household wastes were analysed by Real Time PCR for the presence of Hepatitis E virus, porcine and human adenovirus, norovirus, rotavirus and diarrheagenic E. coli.

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of domestic cooking in inactivating Manila clams experimentally infected with human hepatitis A virus (HAV).

Abstract

Aims

To assess the prevalence of enteric viruses in different irrigation water sources and in the irrigated produce, and the possible links with microbiological and physicochemical water characteristics.

Aims
Epidemiological evidence suggests that hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most common pathogen transmitted by bivalve mollusks such as clams, cockles, mussels, and oysters. This study aimed to generate thermal inactivation kinetics for HAV as a first step to design adequate thermal processes to control clam-associated HAV outbreaks.