Analysis of the results of monitoring studies of mushroom and berry samples for norovirus and hepatitis A virus by real-time PCR method for 2022-2024

Viruses are one of the main causes of outbreaks of foodborne infections, which are accompanied by symptoms characteristic of most gastrointestinal diseases. An important direction in the prevention of norovirus infection and hepatitis A is monitoring the circulation of pathogens on an ongoing basis. The main goal of state monitoring is to prevent the consumer from consuming food products that may be contaminated with norovirus and hepatitis A virus pathogens, which pose a potential risk to human health. We conducted research on the detection of norovirus and hepatitis A virus in plant products in accordance with the Plans for State Monitoring of Food Products of Plant Origin in 2022 - 2024. The purpose of the work is to conduct molecular genetic studies of mushrooms and berries (blueberries, raspberries, bilberries) grown in Ukraine using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) method and analyze the results of studies on the presence of Norovirus and Hepatitis A virus RNA. Materials and methods. The studies were conducted in the research department of biochemical and molecular studies of food products, feed and water of the State Scientific and Research Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise (SSRILDVSE) using the real-time PCR method in accordance with ISO/TS 15216-2 Microbiology of food and animal feed – Horizontal method for determination of hepatitis A virus and norovirus in food using the real-time PCR – Part 2 and Regulation EC 178/2002 (articles 14, 31 Regulation EC №178/2002). Research results. According to the State Monitoring Plans for the detection of norovirus and hepatitis A virus, 465 samples of berries and mushrooms from different regions of Ukraine were examined in the SSRILDVSE. During the monitoring studies using the real-time PCR method, no case of contamination of food products of plant origin with pathogens of norovirus and hepatitis A virus was detected. Conclusions. According to the results of monitoring studies, no RNA of norovirus and hepatitis A wasn't detected in mushroom and berry samples.