Viral analysis
The NRL at the Marine Institute employs real-time PCR procedures for the detection of Norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) in shellfish.
There are currently no regulations governing virus levels in shellfish. Although the current real-time PCR procedures adopted by the NRL are robust and reliable they are not standardised in laboratories throughout Europe. Therefore there is a need to establish standardised methods across European laboratories before consideration can be given to implementing standards for viruses in shellfish in Europe. The Marine Institute is working closely with the Community Reference Laboratory and a European Committee for Standardization (CEN) working group to standardise methods for virus detection in foods, including shellfish, across European testing laboratories (CEN/TC 275/WG6/TAG4 Detection of viruses in food).
At present the NRL is undertaking virus analysis in a number of projects to gain a better understanding of the levels NoV found in shellfish and the potential health risk associated with such shellfish.
E. coli analysis
The bacteria E. coli is used as an indicator of the sanitary quality of bivalve shellfish. Analysis using specific standard methods (ISO TS 16649-3) are required in regulations. The NRL is accredited by the Irish National Accreditation Body (INAB) for this procedure.
The NRL also tests for Salmonella spp. and FRNA bacteriophage (an indicator for human viruses) in shellfish.
Further details of testing facilities at the NRL in the Marine Institute can be obtained from Dr. Sinead Keaveney.