Seasonal and spatial dynamics of enteric viruses in wastewater and in riverine and estuarine receiving waters

Farkas, Kata; Cooper, David M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7578-7918; McDonald, James E.; Malham, Shelagh K.; de Rougemont, Alexis; Jones, Davey L.. 2018 Seasonal and spatial dynamics of enteric viruses in wastewater and in riverine and estuarine receiving waters. Science of the Total Environment, 634. 1174-1183. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.038

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.038

Abstract/Summary

Enteric viruses represent a global public health threat and are implicated in numerous foodborne and waterborne disease outbreaks. Nonetheless, relatively little is known of their fate and stability in the environment. In this study we used carefully validated methods to monitor enteric viruses, namely adenovirus (AdV), JC polyomavirus (JCV), noroviruses (NoVs), sapovirus (SaV) and hepatitis A and E viruses (HAV and HEV) from wastewater source to beaches and shellfish beds. Wastewater influent and effluent, surface water, sediment and shellfish samples were collected in the Conwy catchment (North Wales, UK) once a month for one year. High concentrations of AdV and JCV were found in the majority of samples, and no seasonal patterns were observed. No HAV and HEV were detected and no related illnesses were reported in the area during the period of sampling. Noroviruses and SaV were also detected at high concentrations in wastewater and surface water, and their presence correlated with local gastroenteritis outbreaks during the spring and autumn seasons. Noroviruses were also found in estuarine sediment and in shellfish harvested for human consumption. As PCR-based methods were used for quantification, viral infectivity and degradation was estimated using a NoV capsid integrity assay. The assay revealed low-levels of viral decay in wastewater effluent compared to influent, and more significant decay in environmental waters and sediment. Results suggest that AdV and JCV may be suitable markers for the assessment of the spatial distribution of wastewater contamination in the environment; and pathogenic viruses can be directly monitored during and after reported outbreaks to prevent further environment-derived illnesses.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.038
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0048-9697
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	enteric virus tracking, tangential flow ultrafiltration, qPCR, faecal contamination, viral survival, porcine gastric mucin assay
NORA Subject Terms:	Health Biology and Microbiology
Date made live:	14 May 2018 13:18 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/520054

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.038

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

0048-9697

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

enteric virus tracking, tangential flow ultrafiltration, qPCR, faecal contamination, viral survival, porcine gastric mucin assay