Evaluation of a test method to detect hepatitis A virus in salted shellfish

Abstract Contaminated salted shellfish were a suspected cause of the 2019 hepatitis A outbreak in Korea; however, no virus was detected by detection tests used. In this study, we investigated shortcomings these for identifying to serve as guide improvement tests. Salted washed and desalted before collecting mid‐guts testing. For verification method, first inoculated with norovirus then RT‐qPCR performed determine presence genes. The gene amplified normally along an internal positive control; when nucleic acid extracted be concentrated, amplification inhibited. Since NaCl contaminant, on samples that had been desalinated 2 days, genes successfully detected. Gene enabled analyzing relationship between patients distributed shellfish. To detect viral contamination fermented specimens such shellfish, it is imperative extract mid‐gut intestinal tract remove any PCR inhibitors (e.g., excess salt). desalting using sterile distilled water harvesting effective facilitating detection. Development future test methods requires accurately determining effect through incorporation IPC genetic