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Molecular detection and genotyping of human noroviruses in influent and effluent water at a wastewater treatment plant in Japan
Author(s) -
Kitajima M.,
Haramoto E.,
Phanuwan C.,
Katayama H.,
Furumai H.
Publication year - 2012
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.1365-2672.2012.05231.x
Subject(s) - effluent , genotyping , wastewater , sewage treatment , biology , environmental science , environmental chemistry , genotype , chemistry , environmental engineering , genetics , gene
Aims: To investigate the prevalence, seasonality and genotype distribution of human noroviruses (NoVs) in wastewater in Japan. Methods and Results: Influent and effluent water samples were collected monthly for a year from a wastewater treatment plant and examined for the presence of genogroups I and II (GI and GII) NoVs. Using real‐time reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR assays, 12 (100%) influent and six (50%) effluent samples were positive for both GI and GII NoV genomes, with a higher prevalence in winter. A total of 152 different NoV strains, comprising 84 GI and 68 GII strains, were identified using seminested RT‐PCR assays followed by cloning and sequence analysis. These strains were classified into nine GI genotypes (GI/1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 14) and 13 GII genotypes (GII/1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15 and 16), showing considerable genetic diversity. Conclusions: Based on the partial capsid gene sequences, we identified a great number of NoV strains belonging to many genotypes, demonstrating that genetically diverse NoV strains are co‐circulating in aquatic environments and human populations. Significance and Impact of the Study: Our results clearly demonstrate the seasonal trend and genetic diversity of NoVs in wastewater.