Saudi Journal of Pathology and Microbiology (SJPM)
Volume-6 | Issue-09 | 323-328
Original Research Article
Molecular Evaluation of Enteric Viruses’ Contamination of Raw Vegetables Grown in the Errachidia Region
Rachid Bounagua, Hicham El Rhaffouli, Abderrazak Bouderra, Lahcen Boukbir, Mohammed Laaouissi, Zakaria Yassin, Hind El Kasraoui, Yassine Sekhsoukh, Ouafae Fassi-Fihri
Published : Sept. 30, 2021
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of contamination of fresh vegetables by enteric viruses in the Errachidia region. A total of 80 samples of four types of fresh vegetables (radish, lettuce, onion and parsley) were taken from different plots irrigated by water from WWTPs effluents or wells. The search for enteric viruses was carried out by real-time RT-PCR. Overall rate of enteric viruses’ contamination was 69%. Depending of virus type, this rate was 66%, 59% and 8% for enteroviruses, Norovirus and Rotavirus respectively. No samples tested positive for hepatitis A virus. Vegetables from plots irrigated by WWTPs effluents were more contaminated than those irrigated by well water. Lettuce and parsley were often more contaminated than radish and onion. Our study shows that enteric viruses can contaminate fresh vegetables, requiring the implementation of measures to control this health risk.