Round-Robin comparison of methods for the detection of human enteric viruses in lettuce

• Published in: Journal of food protection 2004-10, Vol.67 (10), p.2315-2319
• Main Authors: Le Guyader, F.S, Schultz, AC, Haugarreau, L, Croci, L, Maunula, L, Duizer, E, Lodder-Verschoor, F, Bonsdorff, C.H. von, Suffredini, E, Poel, W.M.M. van der
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Caliciviridae - isolation & purification; Calicivirus; Consumer Product Safety; disease reservoirs; feces; food contamination; Food Contamination - analysis; Food industries; Food Microbiology; food pathogens; food sanitation; fresh-cut foods; Fruit and vegetable industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Human calicivirus; Human enterovirus; Humans; Lactuca - virology; Lactuca sativa; lettuce; methodology; Methods of analysis, processing and quality control, regulation, standards; microbial detection; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Poliovirus - isolation & purification; Polyethylene Glycols; postharvest treatment; RNA, Viral - isolation & purification; Sensitivity and Specificity; virus transmission
• ISSN: 0362-028X; 1944-9097
• DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x-67.10.2315

Five methods that detect human enteric virus contamination in lettuce were compared. To mimic multiple contaminations as observed after sewage contamination, artificial contamination was with human calicivirus and poliovirus and animal calicivirus strains at different concentrations. Nucleic acid extractions were done at the same time in the same laboratory to reduce assay-to-assay variability. Results showed that the two critical steps are the washing step and removal of inhibitors. The more reliable methods (sensitivity, simplicity, low cost) included an elution/concentration step and a commercial kit. Such development of sensitive methods for viral detection in foods other than shellfish is important to improve food safety.