An overview of 20 years of studies on the prevalence of human enteric viruses in shellfish from Galicia, Spain.

Galicia (NW Spain) has 1490 km of coastline, and its particular topography, characterized by the presence of fiord-like inlets, called rías, with an important primary production, makes this region very favourable for shellfish growth and culture. In fact, Galicia is one of the most important mussel producers in the world. Due to its proximity to cities and villages and the anthropogenic activities in these estuaries, and despite the routine official controls on the bivalve harvesting areas, contamination with material of faecal origin is sometimes possible but, current regulation based on Escherichia coli as an indicator micro-organism has been revealed as useful for bacterial contaminants, this is not the case for enteric viruses. The aim of this review is to offer a picture on the situation of different harvesting areas in Galicia, from a virological standpoint. A recompilation of results obtained in the last 20 years is presented, including not only the data for the well-known agents norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) but also data on emerging viral hazards, including sapovirus (SaV), hepatitis E virus (HEV) and aichivirus (AiV). Epidemiological differences related to diverse characteristics of the harvesting areas, viral genotype distribution or epidemiological links between environmental and clinical strains will also be presented and discussed. The presentation of these historical data all together could be useful for future decisions by competent authorities for a better management of shellfish growing areas.

Low prevalence of Aichi virus in molluscan shellfish samples from Galicia (NW Spain).

AIMS: The aim of this study was to detect and quantify Aichi virus (AiV) in shellfish from three estuaries in Galicia, the main producer of molluscs in Europe. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 249 shellfish samples were analysed using a reverse transcription-quantitative PCR procedure. AiV was detected in 15 of 249 (6·02%) samples. Ría de Ares-Betanzos showed the highest prevalence (11·1%), followed by Ría do Burgo (3·7%) and Ría de Vigo, (2·56%). AiV quantifications ranged from nonquantifiable (under the limit of quantification of the method) to 6·9 × 103 RNAc per g DT, with a mean value of 1·9 × 102 RNAc per g DT. CONCLUSION: Results obtained indicated that the prevalence of this enteric virus in the studied area is considerably lower than those of other enteric viruses, such as Norovirus, Sapovirus, HAV or HEV. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study that detects the presence of AiV in shellfish from authorized harvesting areas in Spain. Further studies with clinical samples are needed to determine the potential risk of AiV for human health in Galicia.

[Synthesis of some aminoacyl-AH-sepharoses via the N-carboxyanhydride method (author's transl)]. / Synthese einiger Aminoacyl-AH-Sepharosen mit der N-Carboxyanhydrid-Methode

(Aminoacyl)n=1-10-AH-Sepharoses can easily be prepared by the N-carboxy anhydride method from amino acid N-carboxy anhydrides and AH-Sepharose 4B at pH 10.2, 0degreesC in aqueous borate buffer. Syntheses of cystinyl-, cysteinyl-, isoleucyl-, leucyl- and phenylalanyl-AH-Sepharoses are described. An improved preparation for cystine bis(N-carboxy anhydride) is presented.