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Assessment of norovirus contamination in environmental samples from Florianópolis City, Southern Brazil
Author(s) -
Victoria M.,
Rigotto C.,
Moresco V.,
De Abreu Corrêa A.,
Kolesnikovas C.,
Leite J.P.G.,
Miagostovich M.P.,
Barardi C.R.M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04646.x
Subject(s) - library science , parasitology , geography , biology , zoology , computer science
Aims: To assess norovirus (NoV) contamination in aquatic ecosystems in the city of Florianópolis, in Southern Brazil, to provide epidemiological data that can support actions for environmental contamination control. Methods and Results: An adsorption–elution method, followed by ultrafiltration, was performed to concentrate the viruses. NoV were detected using semi‐nested PCR and quantified by real‐time PCR. From June 2007 to May 2008, NoV were detected in 23% (22/94) of the samples analysed, including seawater, drinking water, superficial water (creek and brackish lagoon) and treated sewage. The mean viral loads for genogroups (G)I and GII in treated sewage samples were 297 and 440 genomic copies (gc) l −1 , respectively, whereas creek water samples contained 2603 and 1361 gc l −1 , respectively. Six samples were sequenced: two samples were GII.4, two were GII.2 and two were GI.3. Conclusions: NoV were detected in all water types analysed, demonstrating the widespread contamination of this geographical area with several cocirculating strains belonging to GI and GII. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study demonstrates the environmental spread of NoV in environmental waters and highlights the potential hazard for human health following the consumption of or contact with these waters, which could result in waterborne or foodborne acute gastroenteritis.