Operating conditions for using oiled sodocalcic glass wool (Saint Gobain R. 725) to concentrate enteroviruses in 100 to 1000 liters samples were determined. These filters recovered from 62 to 75% of several enteroviruses (laboratory strains or field isolates) and rotavirus SA11 that were added to tap water. The technique permitted the recovery of 62% and 57% of poliovirus added respectively to river water and treated waste water. The results of a 44 months survey of the Seine and Mame river waters are reported. Being efficient at ambient pH, the use of glass wool may permit continuous virological monitoring of water samples.

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Investigations were undertaken on the antiviral action of an hydroalcoholic extract from Haemanthus albijlos bulb, reported here as an efficient agent against RNA viruses. Poliovirus propagated on HeLa cells with different concentrations of the extract was used in the assays. The effect on cellular RNA, DNA and protein synthesis as well as on viral RNA synthesis was evaluated by measuring the radioactivity incorporated using labelled precursors.A 0.2 pL/mL concentration of the plant extract showed an inhibition of cellular RNA, DNA and protein synthesis compared with the control of 44%, 40% and 52%, respectively. At the same concentration a 90% decrease of the viral RNA synthesis was observed over 210 min.

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