Quantification of human infection risk caused by rotavirus in surface waters from Córdoba, Argentina

P.A. BARRIL , ; FUMIAN T,; PREZ V,; GIL P I, ; MARTÍNEZ LC; GIORDANO MO; MASSACHESSI, G; ISA M.B, ; FERREYRA L,; RÉ V E,; MIAGOSTOVICH M,; PAVAN J.V.; NATES SV

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2015

0048-9697

Fecal contamination of water is a worrying problem because it is associated with the transmission of entericpathogenic microorganisms that can cause many infectious diseases. In this study, an environmental surveywas conducted to assess the level of viral contamination by viable enterovirus and rotavirus genome in two recreationalrivers (Suquía and Xanaes) of Córdoba, Argentina. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) wascalculated to estimate the risk of rotavirus infection. Water sampling was carried out during a one-year period,the presence of total and fecal coliforms was determined andwater sampleswere then concentrated for viral determination.Cell culture and indirect immunofluorescence were applied for enterovirus detection and RT-qPCRfor rotavirus quantification. Coliform bacteria levels found in Suquía River often far exceeded the guideline limitsfor recreational waters. The Xanaes exhibited a lower level of bacterial contamination, frequently within the guidelinelimits. Enterovirus and rotavirus were frequently detected in the monitoring rivers (percentage of positive samples inSuquía: 78.6% enterovirus, 100% rotavirus; in Xanaes: 87.5% enterovirus, 18.7% rotavirus). Rotavirus was detected at amedia concentration of 5.7×105 genome copies/L (gc/L) in the Suquía and 8.5×100 gc/L in the Xanaes.QMRArevealedhigh risk of rotavirus infection in the Suquía, at sampling pointswith acceptable and non-acceptable bacteria numbers.The Xanaes showed significantly lower health risk of rotavirus infection but it proved to be a public health hazard. Theviral occurrencewas not readily explained by the levels of bacteria indicators, thus viral monitoring should be includedto determine microbiological water quality. These findings provide the first data of QMRA for recreational waters inArgentina and reveal the need for public awareness of the health implications of the use of the river waters.