Comprehensive analysis of a norovirus-associated gastroenteritis outbreak, from the environment to the consumer.
Noroviruses have been recognized to be the predominant agents of nonbacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks in humans, and their transmission via contaminated shellfish consumption has been demonstrated. Norovirus laboratory experiments, volunteer challenge studies, and community gastroenteritis outbreak investigations have identified human genetic susceptibility factors related to histo-blood group antigen expression. Following a banquet in Brittany, France, in February 2008, gastroenteritis cases were linked to oyster consumption. This study identified an association of the norovirus illnesses with histo-blood group expression, and oyster contamination with norovirus was confirmed by qualitative and quantitative analyses. The secretor phenotype was associated with illness, especially for the non-A subgroup. The study showed that, in addition to accidental climatic events that may lead to oyster contamination, illegal shellfish collection and trading are also risk factors associated with outbreaks.
Le Guyader
Françoise S
FS
IFREMER, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Nantes, France. sleguyad@ifremer.fr
Krol
Joanna
J
Ambert-Balay
Katia
K
Ruvoen-Clouet
Nathalie
N
Desaubliaux
Benedicte
B
Parnaudeau
Sylvain
S
Le Saux
Jean-Claude
JC
Ponge
Agnès
A
Pothier
Pierre
P
Atmar
Robert L
RL
Le Pendu
Jacques
J
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D029322:Norovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000821:virology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D055815:Young Adult
D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral