Concentration of enteric adenovirus 40 from tap, sea and waste water

The enteric adenovirus types 40 (Ead 40) and 41 (Ead 41) are the second most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children. Since their occurrence in the aquatic environment is unknown, their role as waterborne pathogens has not been determined. This study evaluated the ability of electronegative microporous filters to recover Ead 40 from tap water, secondary treated sewage, and artificial and natural sea waters, and the ability of electropositive microporous filters to recover Ead 40 from tap water. The efficiency of organic flocculation and PEG precipitation to reconcentrate Ead 40 from beef extract eluents was also assessed. Viral assays were conducted by the TCID₅₀ method in PLC/PRF/5 cells. With electronegative filters, recovery efficiencies of 36, 38, and 22% were obtained from 113-1. volumes of tap, sea water, and secondary sewage, respectively, using electropositive filters Ead 40 was recovered from tap water, with an efficiency of 26.5%. No significant difference was observed, by paired t-test analysis, when comparing the concentration efficiencies between organic flocculation (38.6%), and PEG precipitation (40%). These results show that Ead 40 can be concentrated from water samples, with efficiencies comparable to other enteric viruses.