Hepatitis A virus strains identified in jogaejeot associated with outbreaks in Seoul, South Korea

• DOI: 10.1111/lam.13482
• Publication Date: 2021-04-02T12:39:20Z
• Authors: H.W. Jeong; M.K. Kim; H.J. Yi; D.M. Kim; S.J. Jeon; H.K. Lee; Y.H. Oh; Y.O. Hwang
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 2. Zero hunger; Food Safety; Genotype; Seoul; Vaccination; Hepatitis A; Bivalvia; Disease Outbreaks; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Animals; Humans; RNA, Viral; Hepatitis A virus; Fermented Foods; Phylogeny; Shellfish

Jogaejeot, seasoned Venerupis philippinarum, is a traditional Korean fermented food, and hepatitis A virus (HAV) can be transmitted through contaminated especially bivalve shellfish, causing acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Here, we carried out phylogenetic analysis to identify characterize HAV strains in jogaejeot samples associated with (HA) outbreaks Seoul, South Korea, 2019. The were identified using blast molecular of the amplified VP1-P2B genome region. five shared at least 99% sequence identity, all classified as genotype IA most closely related that are widespread East Asia. These results support link between consumption HA observed 2019 Seoul. In addition, they indicate need for more stringent enforcement food safety regulations shellfish industry, against HAV, value vaccination.