Chapter 7 Global Supply of Virus-Safe Drinking Water

The detection and molecular characterization of pathogenic human viruses in urban sewage have been used extensively to derive information on circulating viruses in given populations throughout the world. In this study, a similar approach was applied to provide an overview of the epidemiology of waterborne gastroenteritis viruses circulating in urban areas of Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela in South America. Dry season sampling was conducted in sewers and in a major river severely polluted with urban sewage discharges. Nested PCR was used for detection of human adenoviruses (HAds), while reverse transcription plus nested or seminested PCR was used for detection of enteroviruses (HuEVs), rotaviruses (HRVs), noroviruses (HuNoVs), and astroviruses (HAstVs). HRVs were fully characterized with genotype-specific primers for VP4 (genotype P), VP7 (genotype G), and the rotavirus nonstructural protein 4 (NSP4). HuNoVs and HAstVs were characterized by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The detection rates of all viruses were >50%, and all sampling events were positive for at least one of the pathogenic viruses studied. The predominant HRV types found were G1, P[8], P[4], and NSP4A and -B. Genogroup II of HuNoVs and HAstV type 8 were frequently detected in sewage and sewage-polluted river waters. This study reveals relevant epidemiological data on the distribution and persistence of human pathogenic viruses in sewage-polluted waters and addresses the potential health risks associated with transmission of these viruses through water-related environmental routes.

Section: Vol 75 2009 Pathogenic Viruses In Sewage-polluted Waters 391mentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Detection and Characterization of Waterborne Gastroenteritis Viruses in Urban Sewage and Sewage-Polluted River Waters in Caracas, Venezuela

Rodrı́guez-Dı́az

Querales

Caraballo

et al. 2009

“…Because of this possible exposure, surface water can be a source of pathogenic viruses to humans. Pathogenic enteric viruses include noroviruses, rotaviruses, hepatitis A and E viruses, and enteroviruses, which can pass asymptomatically or lead to mild illness, e.g., gastroenteritis, or more severe illness, such as hepatitis, encephalitis, and meningitis (10). Although the exact role of reoviruses as human pathogens remains unclear and they mainly cause mild and asymptomatic illness, more severe illness, like meningitis, has been reported (17,42).…”

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confidence: 99%

Presence of Enteric Viruses in Source Waters for Drinking Water Production in the Netherlands

Lodder

Berg

Rutjes

et al. 2010

The quality of drinking water in the Netherlands has to comply with the Dutch Drinking Water Directive: less than one infection in 10,000 persons per year may occur due to consumption of unboiled drinking water. Since virus concentrations in drinking waters may be below the detection limit but entail a public health risk, the infection risk from drinking water consumption requires the assessment of the virus concentrations in source waters and of the removal efficiency of treatment processes. In this study, samples of source waters were taken during 4 years of regular sampling (

“…Understanding the distribution and persistence of sewage-borne viral pathogens in highly contaminated waters from different geographical areas may provide relevant information on the epidemiology of enteric viral disease worldwide (20). Aichi viruses have emerged as viral agents associated with food-borne nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis in humans.…”

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confidence: 99%

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Aichi Viruses in Sewage-Polluted Waters of Venezuela

Alcalá

Vizzi

Rodrı́guez-Dı́az

et al. 2010

The circulation of Aichi virus in a major urban area was demonstrated using molecular detection with samples recovered from a major river polluted with sewage discharges in Caracas, Venezuela. Five out of 11 water samples studied were positive, being classified by phylogenetic analysis as genotype B. Analysis of sewage waters appears to be a useful methodology to uncover the presence of a hitherto undetected fecal pathogen in a given geographical area.