Prevalence, distribution and environmental effects on faecal indicator bacteria and pathogens of concern in commercial shellfish production areas in a subtropical region of a developing country (Santa Catarina, Brazil).

This paper reviews recent literature on the abundance and distribution of faecal indicator bacteria and pathogens in shellfish production areas in the state of Santa Catarina, on the subtropical coast of Brazil. This state supplies > 95% of the national production of shellfish. Microbiological monitoring data were mapped using GIS and the results compared with those from other countries. Coastal human population is the main predictive parameter for faecal bacteria in the production areas. Temporal variations of the bacteria can also be predicted by solar radiation and rainfall. The prevalence of pathogens such as hepatitis A virus, human norovirus, Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp. does not differ substantially from that in developed countries. The information reported here can be used to inform development of microbiological risk profiles for shellfish production areas.

Compliance of brown mussel (Perna perna) production areas in the South of Brazil with the bacteriological criteria of the shellfish hygiene systems in the European Union and United States of America: assessing the impacts on consumer safety.

Levels of faecal indicator organisms (FIOs) monitored in surface water and brown mussels collected at 28 production areas in Brazil from August 2012 to October 2013 were used to assess compliance with the bacteriological standards of the shellfish hygiene classification systems used in the European Union (EU) and USA. This classification determines the level of post-harvesting purification needed to reduce the risk of illness in consumers. The results indicate that 36% of production areas would be class A under the EU system and 75% would be 'Approved' under the US system. Mathematical models showed that a 90th percentile of FIO levels in water of 43 MPN (most probable number) 100 mL-1 (standard for 'Approved' areas under the US system) would correspond to an 80th percentile of FIO levels in mussels of 572 MPN 100 g-1. This concentration is more than double that in the class A standard in the EU system. These results have important implications for public health since no post-harvesting purification is required for any of these classification categories. Areas compliant with the US 'Restricted' and EU class B standards, however, provide similar levels of consumer safety.

Optimising statistical models to predict faecal pollution in coastal areas based on geographic and meteorological parameters.

This article describes a methodology for optimising predictive models for concentrations of faecal indicator organisms (FIOs) in coastal areas based on geographic and meteorological characteristics of upstream catchments. Concentrations of FIOs in mussels and water sampled from 50 sites in the south of Brazil from 2012 to 2013 were used to develop models to separately predict the spatial and temporal variations of FIOs. The geographical parameters used in predictive models for the spatial variation of FIOs were human population, urban area, percentage of impervious cover and total catchment area. The R2 of models representing catchments located within 3.1 km from the monitoring points was up to 150% higher than that for the nearest catchment. The temporal variation of FIOs was modelled considering the combined effect of meteorological parameters and different time windows. The explained variance in models based on rainfall and solar radiation increased up to 155% and 160%, respectively.