Distribution of norovirus in oyster tissues.

AIMS

To study the distribution of norovirus (NV) in oyster tissues.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Five monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against VP1 were selected from Balb/c mice. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to detect native NV in different tissues of artificially contaminated oysters using the MAbs. The data showed that the gills and the digestive glands are efficient tissues for accumulation of the NV. In addition, the NV was found on the cilia of the mantle after filtering. In our study, only NV RNA in the gills could be detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

CONCLUSIONS

NV was bioaccumulated in the gills, stomach, digestive diverticula and cilia of the mantle. Furthermore, the results suggested that the viral load of the gills and the digestive glands is heavier than that of the other tissues.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This, to our knowledge, is the first paper to report the distribution of NV in oyster tissues by immunoassay after artificial contamination. Further understanding of the NV distribution in oyster may help us to sample appropriate tissues for detection of the virus.