Lack of evidence for HEV infection in Baltic sea mussels (Mytilidae)
This study provides no evidence of HEV contamination in commercially sourced Baltic Sea mussels, as all tested samples were negative for HEV RNA. Moreover, no significant association was observed between mussel consumption and anti-HEV IgG positivity among healthcare workers. Experimental exposure revealed that HEV RNA can persist in the gastrointestinal tract of Baltic Sea mussels for over 16 days but less than 24 days, while no viral presence was detected in the gonad or muscle tissue. These findings suggest a minimal risk of HEV transmission through mussels from the Baltic Sea but highlight the need for further studies to understand their role in HEV ecology.
Authors
- Tim Staufenberger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1325-5187)
- Joerg Brandner
- Mathias Schemmerer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3782-8226)
- Omid Mazaheri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9749-9842)
- Julian Schulze zur Wiesch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5033-1938)
- Svenja Reucher
- Jan Kempski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8867-5077)
- Annika Wolski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2307-8831)
- Marylyn M. Addo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2836-9224)
- Christin Ackermann
- Sören Weidemann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7037-3265)
- Stefan Schmiedel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6910-8461)
- Sven Pischke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3370-3274)
- Jürgen J. Wenzel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8422-6581)
- M. Mäder
- Marc Lütgehetmann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9468-7944)
- M. Rastar-Tangeten
- Swetha Chalissery
Institutions
- Universität Hamburg (DE)
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (DE)
- German Center for Infection Research (DE)
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene (DE)
- Clinical Research Center Kiel (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMC Infectious Diseases
- Published
- 2025-03-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10727-7
- Primary Topic
- Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00