Assessment of the stability of human viruses and coliphage in groundwater by PCR and infectivity methods

  1. K.J. Charles1,
  2. J. Shore2,
  3. J. Sellwood2,
  4. M. Laverick2,
  5. A. Hart3,
  6. S. Pedley1

Article first published online: 27 FEB 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04150.x

Issue

Journal of Applied Microbiology

Journal of Applied Microbiology

Volume 106, Issue 6, pages 1827–1837, June 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Charles, K., Shore, J., Sellwood, J., Laverick, M., Hart, A. and Pedley, S. (2009), Assessment of the stability of human viruses and coliphage in groundwater by PCR and infectivity methods. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 106: 1827–1837. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04150.x

Author Information

  1. 1

     Robens Centre for Public and Environmental Health, University of Surrey, Guildford, England

  2. 2

     Health Protection Agency, Environmental Virology Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK

  3. 3

     Environment Agency, Olton Court, Solihull, UK

*Katrina J. Charles, RCPEH, AW02, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, England. E-mail: k.charles@surrey.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 MAY 2009
  2. Article first published online: 27 FEB 2009
  3. 2007/1962: received 4 December 2007, revised 12 August 2008 and accepted 31 August 2008

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Keywords:

  • adenovirus;
  • coliphage;
  • enterovirus;
  • groundwater;
  • norovirus;
  • stability

Abstract

Aim:  To investigate the potential health hazard from infectious viruses where coliphages, or viruses by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have been detected in groundwater. Two aspects were investigated: the relationship between infectivity and detection by PCR and the stability of coliphage compared to human viruses.

Methods and Results:  Virus decay (1 year) and detection (2 years) studies were undertaken on groundwater at 12°C. The order of virus stability from most to least stable in groundwater, based on first-order inactivation, was: coliphage ΦX174 (0·5 d−1) > adenovirus 2 > coliphage PRD1 > poliovirus 3 > coxsackie virus B1 (0·13 d−1). The order for PCR results was: norovirus genotype II > adenovirus > norovirus genotype I > enterovirus.

Conclusions:  Enterovirus and adenovirus detection by PCR and the duration of infectivity in groundwater followed similar trends over the time period studied. Adenovirus might be a better method for assessing groundwater contamination than using enterovirus; norovirus detection would provide information on a significant human health hazard. Bacteriophage is a good alternative indicator.

Significance and Impact of the Study:  PCR is a useful tool for identifying the health hazard from faecal contamination in groundwater where conditions are conducive to the survival of viruses and their nucleic acid.

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