The prevalence and genetical diversity of human Sapovirus were studied during an 18-month study in Ría do Burgo, an estuary nearby the city of A Coruña in Galicia (NW Spain). Sapovirus was detected using RT-qPCR procedure in 30 out of 80 mussel samples (37.5 %). Quantifications ranged from 2.2 × 10(3) to 2.1 × 10(5) RNA copies per gram of digestive tissue. Detection occurred mainly during the cold and rainy seasons of the period studied. Sequences obtained could be distributed into 5 genotypes being the most abundant GI.1 and GI.3. Results obtained indicate that the hydrodynamic characteristics of the harvesting area and the proximity of population density clearly influence the presence of the virus in shellfish.
Keywords: Human Sapovirus; Mussels; RT nested PCR; RT-qPCR; Shellfish.