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Detection of Human Enteric Viruses in Freshwater from European Countries

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Abstract

The transmission of water-borne pathogens typically occurs by a faecal–oral route, through inhalation of aerosols, or by direct or indirect contact with contaminated water. Previous molecular-based studies have identified viral particles of zoonotic and human nature in surface waters. Contaminated water can lead to human health issues, and the development of rapid methods for the detection of pathogenic microorganisms is a valuable tool for the prevention of their spread. The aims of this work were to determine the presence and identity of representative human pathogenic enteric viruses in water samples from six European countries by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and to develop two quantitative PCR methods for Adenovirus 41 and Mammalian Orthoreoviruses. A 2-year survey showed that Norovirus, Mammalian Orthoreovirus and Adenoviruses were the most frequently identified enteric viruses in the sampled surface waters. Although it was not possible to establish viability and infectivity of the viruses considered, the detectable presence of pathogenic viruses may represent a potential risk for human health. The methodology developed may aid in rapid detection of these pathogens for monitoring quality of surface waters.

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Acknowledgments

This work is part of the European project µAQUA—Universal microarrays for the evaluation of fresh-water quality based on detection of pathogens and their toxins THEME [KBBE.2010.3.2-04] [Innovative aquatic biosensors - Call: FP7-KBBE-2010-4] Grant agreement no. 265409 and was funded by the 7th Framework Programme for Research & Technological Development. The authors thank all the µAQUA project partners for their scientific and technical contribution.

Author Contributions

Emilio D’Ugo proposed experimental design, searched articles and written the work. Laura Mancini and Stefania Marcheggiani implemented the study and contributed to writing the manuscript. Ilaria Fioramonti, collected data and performed q-PCR experiments. Roberto Giuseppetti carried out sampling and water concentration. Roberto Spurio, Karim Helmi, Delphine Guillebault, Linda K. Medlin, Ivan Simeonovski, Bas Boots, Ulrich Breitenbach, Stefania Marcheggiani, Latife Koker and Meric Albayhave have participated actively in the sampling campaign and carefully read the work. All the authors read, approved and significantly contributed to the final version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Quality and Fishfarm Unit, Department Environmental Environment & Primary Prevention, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy

    Emilio D’Ugo, Stefania Marcheggiani, Ilaria Fioramonti, Roberto Giuseppetti & Laura Mancini

  2. School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Ascoli Piceno, Italy

    Roberto Spurio

  3. Veolia Rechercheur & Innovation, Saint-Maurice, France

    Karim Helmi

  4. Microbia Environnement, Observatoire Océanologique, 66650, Banyuls/Mer, France

    Delphine Guillebault & Linda K. Medlin

  5. National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Ivan Simeonovski

  6. UCD School of Biosystems Engineering, Agriculture and Food Science Centre, Dublin, Ireland

    Bas Boots

  7. Marilim Gesellschaft für Gewässeruntersuchung, Schönkirchen, Germany

    Ulrich Breitenbach

  8. Fisheries Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Latife Koker & Meric Albay

Authors
  1. Emilio D’Ugo
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  2. Stefania Marcheggiani
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  3. Ilaria Fioramonti
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  4. Roberto Giuseppetti
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  7. Delphine Guillebault
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  8. Linda K. Medlin
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  9. Ivan Simeonovski
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  10. Bas Boots
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  11. Ulrich Breitenbach
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  12. Latife Koker
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  13. Meric Albay
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  14. Laura Mancini
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Correspondence to Emilio D’Ugo.

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D’Ugo, E., Marcheggiani, S., Fioramonti, I. et al. Detection of Human Enteric Viruses in Freshwater from European Countries. Food Environ Virol 8, 206–214 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-016-9238-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-016-9238-4

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