Abstract:The histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) located on cells of the human gastrointestinal tract function as receptors for NoVs. It is hypothesized that HBGA-like receptors are present in shellfish and are responsible for the specific accumulation of NoVs. We used human HBGA-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to develop an ELISA method for detection of three forms of HBGA in six bivalve shellfish species (oysters, razor clam, clam, blue mussel, blood clam, and scallop). All six species expressed type-A HBGAs. The detection rate of type-A HBGAs was 11.6%, 28.1%, 72.3%, and 84.6% in Sinonovacula constricta, and tissue, respectively. All samples of oyster and blood clam contained type-A HBGAs. Type-H HBGAs were found only in oysters with a detection rate of 30.7%. Type-B HBGAs were present in the razor clam and blood clam (detection rate of 76.9% and 77.8%, respectively). Our results suggest that multiple HBGAs are expressed in bivalve shellfish and provide insight into the mechanism of accumulation of NoVs by bivalve shellfish.