Possibilities of using mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) to predict rotavirus contamination in Albania

Abstract

Rotaviruses are non-enveloped viruses that each consist of 11 double-stranded RNA molecules. These viruses are able to persist in the environment, and therefore play a fundamental role in the epidemiology of gastroenteritis and severe diarrhoea in children worldwide. While mussels have been primarily used as indicators of chemical pollution, they can also be used to monitor viral contamination. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the Mytilus galloprovincialis mussel can also be used to detect microbial contamination, owing to its tendency to naturally concentrate viruses and other pathogens.

Keywords

• rotaviruses
• mytilus galloprovincialis
• shellfish
• butrinti lake
• cape of stillo