scholarly journals An outbreak of hepatitis A among homosexuals linked to a family outbreak

2002 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. STENE-JOHANSEN ◽  
P. A. JENUM ◽  
T. HOEL ◽  
H. BLYSTAD ◽  
H. SUNDE ◽  
...  

Several outbreaks of hepatitis A occurred in Norway in 1995–8. Molecular epidemiology was used to follow the spread of hepatitis A virus in the population. Distinct strains of hepatitis A virus (HAV) were detected by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and subsequent sequencing in serum from patients in different communities at risk of infection. Two HAV strains were detected in an outbreak among 26 men having sexual contact with other men. One of these strains was also detected in a geographically limited family outbreak. The family outbreak was first believed to be acquired abroad. The sequence information linked the two outbreaks, and epidemiological and serological analyses revealed the transmission route. This study demonstrates the importance of molecular epidemiology in outbreak investigation, surveillance and monitoring of hepatitis A in the population.

2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. COELHO ◽  
A. P. HEINERT ◽  
C. M. O. SIMÕES ◽  
C. R. M. BARARDI

Shellfish are readily contaminated with viruses present in water containing sewage because of the concentration effect of filter feeding. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the main cause of acute hepatitis worldwide and may lead to severe illness or even death. It is transmitted through fecal and oral routes and causes widespread endemic and asymptomatic infections in young children. Here we describe a method for the detection of HAV RNA in shellfish involving the extraction of total RNA from oyster meat followed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Virus recovery from oyster extracts artificially seeded with HAV strain HM 175 was examined by RT-PCR. The minimum detection limit was 3.3 focus-forming units of HAV, and the recovery rate was 75.7%. This method was used to assess the viral contamination of four shellfish beds in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, over a 1-year period. Six (22%) of 27 samples collected in autumn and winter from one shellfish bed tested positive for HAV.


1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Schwab ◽  
R. De Leon ◽  
M. D. Sobsey

This study developed a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection system for enteric viruses in sample concentrates obtained by conventional filter adsorption-elution methods. One liter beef extract (BE)-glycine (G) eluant seeded with poliovirus 1 and hepatitis A virus (HAV) was used as a model system and the eluant further processed for RT-PCR compatibility. Sample concentration and purification procedures consisted of polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, Pro-Cipitate (Affinity Technology, New Brunswick, NJ) precipitation, a second PEG precipitation, spin-column chromatography, and ultrafiltration. Sample volumes are reduced from 1 L to 20-40 µL and purified sufficiently for viral detection by RT-PCR. As little as 3 PFU of poliovirus 1 in an initial 1 L eluate were detected by RT-PCR.


Hepatology ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Yotsuyanagi ◽  
K Koike ◽  
K Yasuda ◽  
K Moriya ◽  
Y Shintani ◽  
...  

2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID H. KINGSLEY ◽  
GARY P. RICHARDS

We investigated the ability of hepatitis A virus (HAV) to persist for up to 6 weeks in Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Viral RNA was detected by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction 6 weeks after 16 h of exposure to 90,000 PFU (180 PFU/ml of seawater) of HAV. Assaying for infectious virus in oysters that received a daily feeding of phytoplankton recovered 3,800, 650, and 500 PFU of HAV 1, 2, and 3 weeks after contamination with 90,000 PFU of HAV, respectively. However, no infectious HAV was isolated from oysters 4, 5, or 6 weeks after contamination. These results support the position that shellfish depuration is insufficient for the complete removal of infectious viruses. Extended relay times (in excess of 4 weeks) may be required to produce virologically safe shellfish.


1999 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 1210-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
SORAYA I. ROSENFIELD ◽  
LEE-ANN JAYKUS

A multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was developed for the simultaneous detection of the human enteroviruses, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Norwalk virus (NV). Poliovirus type 1 (PV1) was chosen as a model for the human enterovirus group. Three different sets of primers were used to produce three size-specific amplicons of 435 bp, 270 bp, and 192 bp for PV1, NV, and HAV, respectively. RT-PCR products were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, and amplicon identity was confirmed by Southern transfer followed by DNA hybridization using nonradio-active, digoxigenin-labeled internal probes. When tested on mixed, purified virus suspensions, the multiplex method achieved detection limits of ≤1 infectious unit (PV1 and HAV) or RT-PCR-amplifiable unit (NV) for all viruses. With further streamlining efforts such as single tube amplification and liquid hybridization, multiplex PCR offers advantages over cell culture methodology and monoplex PCR because it allows for rapid and cost-effective detection of several human enteric viruses in a single reaction tube.


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