Human astroviruses in raw sewage samples in Hungary

Abstract

Aims: Routine procedures for monitoring viruses in water samples have not been drawn up for the water‐microbiology screening panel. Enteric viruses, including astroviruses, are able to persist under environmental conditions and may cause public health problems by contaminating natural and drinking water resources. The aim of this study was to detect human astroviruses (HAstVs) from raw wastewater samples. Methods and Results: To obtain data on whether human astroviruses are shed in the environment, 35 raw sewage samples from 22 sewage plants in different regions of Baranya County, Hungary were tested for astrovirus using a polyethylene glycol method for concentration and a guanidinium thiocyanate–silica procedure for extraction of viral RNA. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) with HAstV‐specific primer pairs was used for amplification and the specificity of amplicons was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Among the 35 raw sewage samples, 15 (43%) contained HAstV and by sequence analysis, 10 genotype HAstV‐1 and one genotype HAstV‐2 were identified. Conclusions: The high detection rate of astroviruses we encountered in this study provide convincing evidence that HAstVs circulate at a relatively high frequency in the Hungarian population. No correlation between the standard indicators of faecal pollution and the presence of HAstVs was found. Significance and Impact of the Study: Our study is the first report on detection of HAstV in sewage in Hungary and suggests that HAstV might be potent indicators of viral pollution in environmental specimens.

One-year monthly survey of rotavirus, astrovirus and norovirus in three sewage treatment plants in Beijing, China and associated health risk assessment

“…A similar study in Norway, however, reported a higher prevalence of astrovirus in raw sewage of 46-94% (Myrmel et al 2006). A study on astrovirus in Hungary also showed a relatively high prevalence (43%) (Meleg et al 2006). Tajima et al (2007) reported that norovirus was detected in 20 of 22 specimens (91%) in the secondary effluent and 20 of 28 specimens (71%) in the reclaimed water after tertiary treatments.…”

“…(Meleg et al 2006;Rutjes et al 2009). Outbreaks of viral acute gastroenteritis by consumption of contaminated water have been frequently reported in the world, and viruses are known as the etiological agents for the infectious gastroenteritis (Divizia et al 2004).…”

“…While rotaviruses, astrovirus, and norovirus have been involved in these outbreaks (Hung et al 1984;Boccia et al 2002;Divizia et al 2004;Hoebe et al 2004;Gallay et al 2006;Hewitt et al 2007;Martinelli et al 2007;Maunula et al 2009), routine procedures for monitoring these viruses in water samples had not been drawn up for the water-microbiology screening panel. Sewage water contains much higher numbers of viruses (Meleg et al 2006) and sewage workers frequently exposed to raw sewage were found to be at higher risk of intestinal disease (Rylander 1999;Venczel et al 2003). The effluent with enteric pathogens from the sewerage systems, which directly entered into the water environment, was found to be one of the most important causes of waterborne outbreak (Hafliger et al 2000), therefore, Sewerage systems should be regarded as an important nodes to monitor and control human enteric pathogens transmission (Katayama et al 2008).…”

“…Traditional methods such as cell culture for enteric virus detection remained cumbersome, costly and time-consuming (Jean et al 2002). Recently, more molecular approaches had been used to detect rotavirus, astrovirus, and norovirus from sewage water samples (Baggi et al 2001;Jean et al 2002;Meleg et al 2006;Min et al 2006;He et al 2008;Katayama et al 2008). …”

Molecular detection of three gastroenteritis viruses in urban surface waters in Beijing and correlation with levels of fecal indicator bacteria

“…In Beijing, the treated water, regarded as a second water source, has been used as toilet flushing water, industrial process water, environmental water, garden water, and road washing water (He et al 2008). Sewage treatment and disinfective procedures for wastewater have only a limited effect on a number of viruses, and therefore treated sewage water still contain enteric viruses (Meleg et al 2006;He et al 2011). Because of discharges of treated sewage, pathogenic microorganisms may enter surface waters in Beijing, and therefore viruses are able to contam-inate environmental waters thus preserving a longterm capacity for infection.…”