Proposal of a pathway for enteric virus groups detection as indicators of faecal contamination to enhance the evaluation of microbiological quality in freshwater in Argentina

MASACHESSI, G.; PREZ, V.E.; MICHELENA, J.F.; LIZASOAIN, A.; FERREYRA, L.J.; MARTÍNEZ, L.C.; GIORDANO, M.O.; BARRIL, P.A.; PAVÁN, J.V.; PISANO, M.B.; FARÍAS, A.A.; ISA, M.B.; RÉ, V.E.; COLINA, R.; NATES, S.V.

THE SCIENCE OF TOTAL ENVIRONMENT

Elsevier

Año: 2021

0048-9697

An environmental survey was conducted in order to assess the frequency of detection of picobirnavirus (PBV),human adenovirus (HAdV) and infective enterovirus (iEV) as indicators of faecal contamination in freshwater,and to determine their potential as reporters of the presence of other enteric viruses, such as group A rotavirus(RVA). The study was carried out over a three-year period (2013?2015) in the San Roque Dam, Córdoba,Argentina. The overall frequency detection was 62.9% for PBV, 64.2% for HAdV and 70.4% for iEV. No significantdifferences were observed in the rates of detection for any of these viruses through the years studied, and a seasonal pattern was not present. Whenever there was RVA detection in the samples analyzed, there was also detection of iEV and/or HAdV and/or PBV. At least one of the viral groups analyzed was demonstrated in the 100% ofthe samples with faecal coliforms values within the guideline limits. In this setting, especially in those sampleswhich reveal faecal indicator bacteria within the guideline limit, we propose to carry out a pathway, involvingPBV, HAdV and iEV detection in order to enhance the evaluation of microbiological quality in freshwater inArgentina. The proposed methodological strategy could report faecal contamination in water, mainly of humanorigin, and the condition of the matrix to maintain viral viability. In addition, the viral groups selected could report the presence of RV.