title: Norovirus monitoring in bivalve molluscs harvested and commercialized in southern Italy.
abstract: Norovirus (NoV) is the main cause of human nonbacterial gastroenteritis throughout the world. NoVs are classified into five genogroups: GI, GII, GIII, GIV, and GV. NoVs from GI and GII are the most commonly reported NoVs associated with human infections, and raw or undercooked shellfish  have been identified as the main potential infection vehicle. European Commission Regulation 2073/2005 defines only bacteriological parameters for use as safety criteria for shellfish because reference methods for detection of viruses are lacking. From July 2007 to April 2010, 163 shellfish  samples were collected in southern Italy from harvesting areas, authorized or nonauthorized retailers, and a restaurant after an outbreak of human gastroenteritis. The shellfish were analyzed for the presence of NoVs from GI and GII using the one-step real-time reverse transcription PCR protocol.  A total of 94 shellfish samples (57.7%) were positive for the presence of NoV, and GII was the most frequently identified genogroup.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zootechnical Sciences and Food Inspection, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Naples, Federico II Via F. Delpino, 1-80137 Naples, Italy. tiziana.pepe@unina.it
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pepe
authors.forename: Iole
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ventrone
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suffredini
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ceruso
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Croci
authors.forename: Aniello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anastasio
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cortesi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D029322:Norovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012758:Shellfish / Q000821:virology*