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Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Bivalve Mollusks by Droplet Digital RT-PCR (dd RT-PCR)

Author

Listed:
  • Andrea Mancusi

    (Department of Food Security Coordination, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Federico Capuano

    (Department of Food Security Coordination, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Santa Girardi

    (Department of Food Security Coordination, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Orlandina Di Maro

    (Department of Food Security Coordination, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Elisabetta Suffredini

    (Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Denise Di Concilio

    (Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Lucia Vassallo

    (Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Maria Concetta Cuomo

    (Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Maria Tafuro

    (Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Daniel Signorelli

    (Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Andrea Pierri

    (Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Antonio Pizzolante

    (Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Pellegrino Cerino

    (Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Giuseppina La Rosa

    (Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Yolande Thérèse Rose Proroga

    (Department of Food Security Coordination, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Biancamaria Pierri

    (Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute No. 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

Abstract

Bivalve shellfish are readily contaminated by human pathogens present in waters impacted by municipal sewage, and the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in feces of infected patients and in wastewater has drawn attention to the possible presence of the virus in bivalves. The aim of this study was to collect data on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in bivalve mollusks from harvesting areas of Campania region. A total of 179 samples were collected between September 2019 and April 2021 and were tested using droplet digital RT-PCR (dd RT-PCR) and real-time RT-PCR. Combining results obtained with different assays, SARS-CoV-2 presence was detected in 27/179 (15.1%) of samples. A median viral concentration of 1.1 × 10 2 and 1.4 × 10 2 g.c./g was obtained using either Orf1b nsp14 or RdRp/gene E, respectively. Positive results were unevenly distributed among harvesting areas and over time, positive samples being more frequent after January 2021. Partial sequencing of the spike region was achieved for five samples, one of which displaying mutations characteristic of the Alpha variant (lineage B.1.1.7). This study confirms that bivalve mollusks may bioaccumulate SARS-CoV-2 to detectable levels and that they may represent a valuable approach to track SARS-CoV-2 in water bodies and to monitor outbreak trends and viral diversity.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Mancusi & Federico Capuano & Santa Girardi & Orlandina Di Maro & Elisabetta Suffredini & Denise Di Concilio & Lucia Vassallo & Maria Concetta Cuomo & Maria Tafuro & Daniel Signorelli & Andrea P, 2022. "Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Bivalve Mollusks by Droplet Digital RT-PCR (dd RT-PCR)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:2:p:943-:d:725314
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    1. Roman Wölfel & Victor M. Corman & Wolfgang Guggemos & Michael Seilmaier & Sabine Zange & Marcel A. Müller & Daniela Niemeyer & Terry C. Jones & Patrick Vollmar & Camilla Rothe & Michael Hoelscher & To, 2020. "Author Correction: Virological assessment of hospitalized patients with COVID-2019," Nature, Nature, vol. 588(7839), pages 35-35, December.
    2. Roman Wölfel & Victor M. Corman & Wolfgang Guggemos & Michael Seilmaier & Sabine Zange & Marcel A. Müller & Daniela Niemeyer & Terry C. Jones & Patrick Vollmar & Camilla Rothe & Michael Hoelscher & To, 2020. "Virological assessment of hospitalized patients with COVID-2019," Nature, Nature, vol. 581(7809), pages 465-469, May.
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    1. Alberto Pivato & Gianni Formenton & Francesco Di Maria & Tatjana Baldovin & Irene Amoruso & Tiziano Bonato & Pamela Mancini & Giusy Bonanno Ferraro & Carolina Veneri & Marcello Iaconelli & Lucia Bonad, 2022. "SARS-CoV-2 in Atmospheric Particulate Matter: An Experimental Survey in the Province of Venice in Northern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, August.

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