Hepatitis E virus in recreational water an sewage in Córdoba, Argentina.

MARTÍNEZ WASSAF MG, ; PISANO MB,; NATES S, ; RÉ VE.

Salta

Simposio; III SIMPOSIO LATINOAMERICANO DE VIROLOGIA AMBIENTAL. SALTA, ARGENTINA; 2016

Universidad Salta

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emergent causative agent of acute hepatitis worldwide. HEV is shed through stool of infected individuals, and most commonly transmitted by fecally contamined water. The aim of this study was to detect and genetically characterize HEV from recreational water courses and swage samples from Cordoba. Samples of three different water courses and time collections were analyzed by molecular assays (RT-Nested PCR of ORF-2 followed for phylogenetic analyzes): Suquía River [(SR) 2010 n = 31] which crosses Córdoba city, Xanaes River [(XR) 2012 n = 28] located 45km south of Cordoba city, and the San Roque Dam (sources of drinking water for north Córdoba city and recreational activities) [(SRD) ?waterbody (wb) 2011-2012; n = 66 and recreational beaches (rb) 2013-2014; n = 30]. In addition, sewage (SW) obtained from the treatment plant of Córdoba city were analyzed (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014; n = 72). HEV ? genotype 3 (subtypes a, b, c) was detected in SR: 3.2% (1/31), SRD ?wb: 1.6% (1/66), SRD-rb: 3.3% (1/30) and SW: 4.2% (3/72). All sequences were closely interrelated. Contamination of water with HEV could represent a route of transmission for local populations. The findings show that HEV circulates in environmental samples at least 10 years ago.