Detection and Occurrence of Enteric Viruses in Shellfish: A Review

During feeding, bivalve mollusks (oysters, mussels and clams) can accumulate pathogenic human enteric viruses when present in sewage-polluted seawater. It has been well established that infectious hepatitis virus is transmitted by consumption of raw or inadequately cooked shellfish. But because of the lack of epidemiologic techniques, transmission of other enteric viruses by shellfish has not been established. Other enteric viruses, such as polio, echo, coxsackie and reo, have been detected in shellfish. Enteroviruses have been detected in shellfish taken from both "open" and "closed" areas, based on bacteriological standards used at present in the United States. Field and laboratory studies have indicated that enteric viruses can survive for long periods in seawater and in shellfish. Recent advances in methodology have led to development of more rapid and less expensive methods for detection of a greater number of enteric viruses in shellfish.