First Identification of Hepatitis a Virus RNA in Mussels (Mytilus sp.) in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, a total of 600 mussels collected in six different areas of the coastal Middle Black Sea region of Turkey were analysed for the presence of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). HAV was evaluated by cell culture infection method and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction ( RT-PCR). In conclusion, HAV RNA was found in 2 of 60 cell culture supernatants of the mussel samples (3.3%). This is the first study reporting the isolation of HAV in mussels in Turkey. This study highlights the interest to contamination of Hepatitis A in mussel samples from different areas.