ABSTRACT The investigation of viruses in foods has become a prime concern for public health as a consequence of viral diseases outbreaks linked to the consumption of contaminated fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, water and fish. Norovirus (NoV) stands out as the main virus responsible for foodborne disease and the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in the world. It is an enteric virus, with high environmental persistence and low infectious dose (1-100 particles). NoV has been identified in over 60% of AGE outbreaks recorded in Argentine since 2004. Currently, food testing for the detection of pathogenic viruses is not mandatory in Argentine and the information available on the prevalence of NoV and foodborne diseases is scarce and outdated. In this context, the present work addresses the risk assessment of different foodstuff contaminated with NoV, identifying and characterizing the virus and its effects on human health. In 2019, registered outbreaks of NoV in Argentine affected more than 4000 people. According to the indices obtained, it was estimated that the given data does not accurately represent all infected cases. It is considered essential to generate a high impact outbreak reporting system, which could allow the estimation of the risk of presence of NoV in different foods, identifying the genotypes and genogroups. A better understanding of the virology and epidemiology of this infectious agent will allow the implementation of preventive measures and better decision making by the responsible organizations.

RESUMEN La investigación de virus en los alimentos se convirtió en una necesidad de salud pública como consecuencia de la aparición de epidemias víricas, relacionadas al consumo de frutas y vegetales, carnes, agua y pescados contaminados. Entre los agentes virales responsables de enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos (ETAs), el Norovirus (NoV) se destaca como principal causante de gastroenteritis aguda (GEA) en el mundo. Un virus entérico, con elevada persistencia ambiental y bajas dosis mínimas infecciosas (1-100 partículas). En Argentina, el NoV se identificó en más del 60% de los brotes de GEA informados desde 2004. Actualmente la detección de virus patógenos en alimentos no está regulada en Argentina y la información en particular de NoV y ETAs es escasa o desactualizada. En este contexto, el presente trabajo abordó la determinación de índices de riesgo en relación al consumo de distintas matrices alimentarias contaminadas con NoV, identificando y caracterizando el virus y sus consecuencias en la salud humana. Durante el año 2019 se registraron brotes de NoV con más de 4000 personas afectadas en el territorio argentino. A partir de los índices obtenidos, se estima que los datos hallados no son representativos de todas las personas infectadas. Se considera esencial generar un sistema de notificación de brotes de alto impacto, posibilitando estimar el riesgo de la presencia de NoV en matrices alimentarias, identificando genotipos y genogrupos. Un mejor conocimiento de la virología y epidemiología de este agente infeccioso permitiría a los organismos pertinentes la toma de medidas preventivas y decisiones de mejora.

Foram incorporados glicerol (17%), cloreto de sódio (1,5%) e sorbato de potássio (0.1%) nas seguintes porcentagens de ácido: 0,2; 0,4; 0,6; 0,8; 1 e 1,5% p/p, em um patê elaborado a partir de congro-real (Percophis brasiliensis) cozido, com o intuito de determinar a relação entre o ácido acético adicionado e a intensidade sensorialmente percebida, assim como o efeito da combinação dos gostos doce e ácido. Foram realizados testes de comparação pareada, de classificação e também estruturada uma escala verbal para os atributos ácido e doce, e testes psicofísicos. Foi percebida diferença entre as amostras com diferença de 0,4 unidades de concentração de ácido. As amostras indicadas como as mais doces por 89,47% dos julgadores foram as que continham menor concentração de ácido. Foi observada a redução da doçura do glicerol quando aumentaram os níveis de ácido. O ácido acético reduziu a doçura do glicerol e, inversamente, o glicerol reduziu a acidez do ácido acético. Os dados obtidos com o teste de estimação de magnitude concordaram com a lei de Steven.

In a fish paste made with cooked Brazilian flathead (Percophis brasiliensis), glycerol (17%), sodium chloride (1.5%) and potassium sorbate (0.1%) the following acid percentages: 0.2; 0.4; 0.6; 0.8, 1 and 1.5% w/w were incorporated to determine the relationship between added acetic acid and the sensorially perceived intensity, and the effects of the combination of sweet-acid tastes. Tests for paired comparison, ranking and structured verbal scales for sweet and acid attributes and psychophysical test were carried out. There was a perceptible difference among samples for differences of 0.4 units of acid concentration. Samples indicated as sweeter by 89.47% of the judges were those containing a lesser acid concentration. A reduction in glycerol sweetness when increasing acid levels was observed. Acetic acid reduced the sweetness of glycerol and inversely glycerol reduced the acidity of acetic acid. The data obtained with the magnitude estimation test agree with Steven's law.