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Díaz SM, Barrios ME, Galli L, Cammarata RV, Torres C, Fortunato MS, García López G, Costa M, Sanguino Jorquera DG, Oderiz S, Rogé A, Gentiluomo J, Carbonari C, Rajal VB, Korol SE, Gallego A, Blanco Fernández MD, Mbayed VA. Microbiological hazard identification in river waters used for recreational activities. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 247:118161. [PMID: 38220078 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause waterborne disease outbreaks. The study of coastal water quality contributes to identifying potential risks to human health and to improving water management practices. The Río de la Plata River, a wide estuary in South America, is used for recreational activities, as a water source for consumption and as a site for sewage discharges. In the present study, as the first step of a quantitative microbial risk assessment of the coastal water quality of this river, a descriptive study was performed to identify the microbial pathogens prevalent in its waters and in the sewage discharged into the river. Two sites, representing two different potential risk scenarios, were chosen: a heavily polluted beach and an apparently safe beach. Conductivity and fecal contamination indicators including enterococci, Escherichia coli, F + RNA bacteriophages, and human polyomaviruses showed high levels. Regarding enterococci, differences between sites were significant (p-values <0.001). 93.3% and 56.5% of the apparently safe beach exceeded the recreational water limits for E. coli and enterococci. Regarding pathogens, diarrheagenic E. coli, Salmonella, and noroviruses were detected with different frequencies between sites. The parasites Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis were frequently detected in both sites. The results regarding viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens, even without correlation with conventional indicators, showed the importance of monitoring a variety of microorganisms to determine water quality more reliably and accurately, and to facilitate further studies of health risk assessment. The taxonomic description of microbial pathogens in river waters allow identifying the microorganisms that infect the population living on its shores but also pathogens not previously reported by the clinical surveillance system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía Micaela Díaz
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBAVIM), Cátedra de Virología, Junín 956 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290 (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melina Elizabeth Barrios
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBAVIM), Cátedra de Virología, Junín 956 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290 (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucía Galli
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Av. 60 y 118 (B1900), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Robertina Viviana Cammarata
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBAVIM), Cátedra de Virología, Junín 956 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290 (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Torres
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBAVIM), Cátedra de Virología, Junín 956 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290 (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Susana Fortunato
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental, Junín 954 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guadalupe García López
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental, Junín 954 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Magdalena Costa
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Av. 60 y 118 (B1900), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Diego Gastón Sanguino Jorquera
- Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150 (A4408FVY), Salta, Argentina
| | - Sebastian Oderiz
- Servicio Fisiopatogenia, Departamento Bacteriología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas-ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Av. Vélez Sarsfield 563 (C1282AFF), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ariel Rogé
- Servicio Fisiopatogenia, Departamento Bacteriología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas-ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Av. Vélez Sarsfield 563 (C1282AFF), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jimena Gentiluomo
- Servicio Fisiopatogenia, Departamento Bacteriología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas-ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Av. Vélez Sarsfield 563 (C1282AFF), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Carbonari
- Servicio Fisiopatogenia, Departamento Bacteriología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas-ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Av. Vélez Sarsfield 563 (C1282AFF), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Verónica Beatriz Rajal
- Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150 (A4408FVY), Salta, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería. UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150 (A4408FVY), Salta, Argentina
| | - Sonia Edith Korol
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental, Junín 954 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alfredo Gallego
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental, Junín 954 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Dolores Blanco Fernández
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBAVIM), Cátedra de Virología, Junín 956 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290 (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Viviana Andrea Mbayed
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBAVIM), Cátedra de Virología, Junín 956 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290 (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Shaheen MNF, Ahmed N, Rady Badr K, Elmahdy EM. Detection and quantification of adenovirus, polyomavirus, and papillomavirus in urban sewage. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2024; 22:401-413. [PMID: 38421633 PMCID: wh_2024_322 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2024.322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the occurrence and seasonal frequency of human adenovirus (HAdV), human polyomavirus (HPyV), and human papillomavirus (HPV) in urban sewage. The detection of these viruses was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then the viral concentrations in the positive samples were quantified by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Additionally, HAdV and HPyV genotyping was also performed by PCR. A total of 38/60 (63.3%) positive samples were found. HAdV was the most prevalent virus (26/60; 43.3%), followed by HPyV (21/60; 35%) and HPV (21/60; 35%). The viral concentrations ranged from 3.56 × 102 to 7.55 × 107 genome copies/L. The most common dual viral agents was found between HAdV and HPyV, in eight samples (8/38, 21%). HAdV types 40 and 41 as well as HPyV types JC and BK were identified, with HAdV-40 and HPyV JC being the most prevalent types. Furthermore, the detection rates of HAdV, HPyV, and HPV were higher during the winter season than the other seasons. The high prevalence of HAdV and HPyV supports their suitability as viral indicators of sewage contamination. Furthermore, this study demonstrates the advantages of environmental surveillance as a tool to elucidate the community-circulating viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed N F Shaheen
- Environmental Virology Laboratory, Department of Water Pollution Research, Environment and Climate Change Research Institute, National Research Center, 12622 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt E-mail: ;
| | - Nehal Ahmed
- Environmental Virology Laboratory, Department of Water Pollution Research, Environment and Climate Change Research Institute, National Research Center, 12622 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Kareem Rady Badr
- Environmental Virology Laboratory, Department of Water Pollution Research, Environment and Climate Change Research Institute, National Research Center, 12622 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Elmahdy Mohamed Elmahdy
- Environmental Virology Laboratory, Department of Water Pollution Research, Environment and Climate Change Research Institute, National Research Center, 12622 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
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Liu Z, Lin Y, Ge Y, Zhu Z, Yuan J, Yin Q, Liu B, He K, Hu M. Meta-analysis of microbial source tracking for the identification of fecal contamination in aquatic environments based on data-mining. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 345:118800. [PMID: 37591102 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Microbial source tracking (MST) technology represents an innovative approach employed to trace fecal contamination in environmental water systems. The performance of primers may be affected by amplification techniques, target primer categories, and regional differences. To investigate the influence of these factors on primer recognition performance, a meta-analysis was conducted on the application of MST in water environments using three databases: Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed (n = 2291). After data screening, 46 studies were included in the final analysis. The investigation encompassed Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/quantitative PCR (qPCR) methodologies, dye-based (SYBR)/probe-based (TaqMan) techniques, and geographical differences of a human host-specific (HF183) primer and other 21 additional primers. The results indicated that the primers analyzed were capable of differentiating host specificity to a certain degree. Nonetheless, by comparing sensitivity and specificity outcomes, it was observed that virus-based primers exhibited superior specificity and recognition capacity, as well as a stronger correlation with human pathogenicity in water environments compared to bacteria-based primers. This finding highlights an important direction for future advancements. Moreover, within the same category, qPCR did not demonstrate significant benefits over conventional PCR amplification methods. In comparing dye-based and probe-based techniques, it was revealed that the probe-based method's advantage lay primarily in specificity, which may be associated with the increased propensity of dye-based methods to produce false positives. Furthermore, the heterogeneity of the HF183 primer was not detected in China, Canada, and Singapore respectively, indicating a low likelihood of regional differences. The variation among the 21 other primers may be attributable to regional differences, sample sources, detection techniques, or alternative factors. Finally, we identified that economic factors, climatic conditions, and geographical distribution significantly influence primer performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zejun Liu
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510070, China
| | - Yingying Lin
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Yanhong Ge
- Guangdong Infore Technology Co., Ltd, Foshan, 528322, China
| | - Ziyue Zhu
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Jinlong Yuan
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Qidong Yin
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Bingjun Liu
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Kai He
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China.
| | - Maochuan Hu
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510070, China.
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Dos Santos DRL, Silva-Sales M, Fumian TM, Maranhão AG, Malta FC, Ferreira FC, Pimenta MM, Miagostovich MP. Investigation of Human and Animal Viruses in Water Matrices from a Rural Area in Southeastern Region of Brazil and Their Potential Use as Microbial Source-Tracking Markers. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2023; 15:21-31. [PMID: 36629977 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-022-09544-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study assessed the sources of contamination of water matrices in a rural area using detection of a host-specific virus (human adenovirus [HAdV], porcine adenovirus [PAdV] and bovine polyomaviruses [BoPyV]) as potential microbial source-tracking tool, and rotavirus A [RVA], given its epidemiological importance in Brazil. From July 2017 to June 2018, 92 samples were collected from eight points (P1-P8) of surface and raw waters in southeastern region of Brazil. Fifty-five (59.8%) were positive for HAdV, 41 (44.5%) for RVA, 10 (10.9%) for PAdV and four (4.3%) for BoPyV. HAdV and RVA were detected at all sites, and over the entire sampling period, PAdV was detected at a porcine breeding area and at Guarda River site, presenting high concentrations up to 2.6 × 109 genome copies per liter [GC/L], and viral concentrations ranging from 9.6 × 101 to 7.1 × 107, while BoPyV (1.5 × 104 GC/L-9.2 × 105 GC/L) was only detected in samples from the bovine breeding areas. The combination of human and animal virus circulation presents a potential impact in the environment due to raw sewage discharge from regional communities, as well as potential hazard to human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Regina Lopes Dos Santos
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Marcelle Silva-Sales
- Institute of Public Health and Tropical Pathology, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Tulio Machado Fumian
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Adriana Gonçalves Maranhão
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fábio Correia Malta
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando César Ferreira
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcia Maria Pimenta
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marize Pereira Miagostovich
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Kelmer GAR, Ramos ER, Dias EHO. Coliphages as viral indicators in municipal wastewater: A comparison between the ISO and the USEPA methods based on a systematic literature review. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 230:119579. [PMID: 36640612 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The use of traditional faecal indicator bacteria as surrogate organisms for pathogenic viruses in domestic wastewater has been noted as a problematic as concentrations and removal rates of bacteria and viruses do not seem to correlate. In this sense, bacteriophages (phages) emerge as potential viral indicators, as they are commonly found in wastewater in high levels, and can be quantified using simple, fast, low-cost methods. Somatic and F-specific coliphages comprise groups of phages commonly used as indicators of water quality. There are two internationally recognised methods to detect and enumerate coliphages in water samples, the International Standardization Organization (ISO) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) methods. Both methods are based on the lysis of specific bacterial host strains infected by phages. Within this context, this systematic literature review aimed at gathering concentrations in raw and treated domestic wastewater (secondary, biological treatment systems and post-treatment systems), and removal efficiencies of somatic and F-specific coliphages obtained by ISO and USEPA methods, and then compare both methods. A total of 33 research papers were considered in this study. Results showed that the ISO method is more commonly applied than the USEPA method. Some discrepancies in terms of concentrations and removal efficiencies were observed between both methods. Higher removal rates were observed for both somatic and F-specific coliphages in activated sludge systems when using the USEPA method compared to the ISO method; in other secondary (biological) treatment systems, this was observed only for F-specific coliphages. The use of different standardised methods available might lead to difficulties in obtaining and comparing phage data in different conditions and locations. Future research comparing both ISO and USEPA methods as well as viral and bacterial pathogens and indicators in WWTP is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele A R Kelmer
- Postgraduate Programme in Civil Engineering (PEC), Faculty of Engineering, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, Campus UFJF. São Pedro, Juiz de Fora - MG, CEP 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Elloís R Ramos
- Environmental and Sanitary Engineering Course, Faculty of Engineering, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, Campus UFJF. São Pedro, Juiz de Fora - MG, CEP 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Edgard H O Dias
- Postgraduate Programme in Civil Engineering (PEC), Faculty of Engineering, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, Campus UFJF. São Pedro, Juiz de Fora - MG, CEP 36036-900, Brazil; Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (ESA), Faculty of Engineering, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, Campus UFJF. São Pedro, Juiz de Fora - MG, CEP 36036-900, Brazil.
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Maidana-Kulesza MN, Poma HR, Sanguino-Jorquera DG, Reyes SI, Del Milagro Said-Adamo M, Mainardi-Remis JM, Gutiérrez-Cacciabue D, Cristóbal HA, Cruz MC, Aparicio González M, Rajal VB. Tracking SARS-CoV-2 in rivers as a tool for epidemiological surveillance. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022. [PMID: 35908692 DOI: 10.1101/2021.06.17.21259122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate if rivers could be used for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance. Five sampling points from three rivers (AR-1 and AR-2 in Arenales River, MR-1 and MR-2 in Mojotoro River, and CR in La Caldera River) from Salta (Argentina), two of them receiving discharges from wastewater plants (WWTP), were monitored from July to December 2020. Fifteen water samples from each point (75 in total) were collected and characterized physico-chemically and microbiologically and SARS-CoV-2 was quantified by RT-qPCR. Also, two targets linked to human contributions, human polyomavirus (HPyV) and RNase P, were quantified and used to normalize SARS-CoV-2 concentration, which was compared to reported COVID-19 cases. Statistical analyses allowed us to verify the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 and the concentration of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), as well as to find similarities and differences between sampling points. La Caldera River showed the best water quality; FIBs were within acceptable limits for recreational activities. Mojotoro River's water quality was not affected by the northern WWTP of the city. Instead, Arenales River presented the poorest water quality; at AR-2 was negatively affected by the discharges of the southern WWTP, which contributed to significant increase of fecal contamination. SARS-CoV-2 was found in about half of samples in low concentrations in La Caldera and Mojotoro Rivers, while it was high and persistent in Arenales River. No human tracers were detected in CR, only HPyV was found in MR-1, MR-2 and AR-1, and both were quantified in AR-2. The experimental and normalized viral concentrations strongly correlated with reported COVID-19 cases; thus, Arenales River at AR-2 reflected the epidemiological situation of the city. This is the first study showing the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 concentration in an urban river highly impacted by wastewater and proved that can be used for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance to support health authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Noel Maidana-Kulesza
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Hugo Ramiro Poma
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Diego Gastón Sanguino-Jorquera
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Sarita Isabel Reyes
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - María Del Milagro Said-Adamo
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Juan Martín Mainardi-Remis
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Dolores Gutiérrez-Cacciabue
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Héctor Antonio Cristóbal
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Cecilia Cruz
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Mónica Aparicio González
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Verónica Beatriz Rajal
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Science Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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Maidana-Kulesza MN, Poma HR, Sanguino-Jorquera DG, Reyes SI, Del Milagro Said-Adamo M, Mainardi-Remis JM, Gutiérrez-Cacciabue D, Cristóbal HA, Cruz MC, Aparicio González M, Rajal VB. Tracking SARS-CoV-2 in rivers as a tool for epidemiological surveillance. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 848:157707. [PMID: 35908692 PMCID: PMC9334864 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate if rivers could be used for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance. Five sampling points from three rivers (AR-1 and AR-2 in Arenales River, MR-1 and MR-2 in Mojotoro River, and CR in La Caldera River) from Salta (Argentina), two of them receiving discharges from wastewater plants (WWTP), were monitored from July to December 2020. Fifteen water samples from each point (75 in total) were collected and characterized physico-chemically and microbiologically and SARS-CoV-2 was quantified by RT-qPCR. Also, two targets linked to human contributions, human polyomavirus (HPyV) and RNase P, were quantified and used to normalize SARS-CoV-2 concentration, which was compared to reported COVID-19 cases. Statistical analyses allowed us to verify the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 and the concentration of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), as well as to find similarities and differences between sampling points. La Caldera River showed the best water quality; FIBs were within acceptable limits for recreational activities. Mojotoro River's water quality was not affected by the northern WWTP of the city. Instead, Arenales River presented the poorest water quality; at AR-2 was negatively affected by the discharges of the southern WWTP, which contributed to significant increase of fecal contamination. SARS-CoV-2 was found in about half of samples in low concentrations in La Caldera and Mojotoro Rivers, while it was high and persistent in Arenales River. No human tracers were detected in CR, only HPyV was found in MR-1, MR-2 and AR-1, and both were quantified in AR-2. The experimental and normalized viral concentrations strongly correlated with reported COVID-19 cases; thus, Arenales River at AR-2 reflected the epidemiological situation of the city. This is the first study showing the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 concentration in an urban river highly impacted by wastewater and proved that can be used for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance to support health authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Noel Maidana-Kulesza
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Hugo Ramiro Poma
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Diego Gastón Sanguino-Jorquera
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Sarita Isabel Reyes
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - María Del Milagro Said-Adamo
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Juan Martín Mainardi-Remis
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Dolores Gutiérrez-Cacciabue
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Héctor Antonio Cristóbal
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Cecilia Cruz
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Mónica Aparicio González
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Verónica Beatriz Rajal
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Science Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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8
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Li J, Liu J, Yu H, Zhao W, Xia X, You S, Zhang J, Tong H, Wei L. Sources, fates and treatment strategies of typical viruses in urban sewage collection/treatment systems: A review. DESALINATION 2022; 534:115798. [PMID: 35498908 PMCID: PMC9033450 DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2022.115798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) throughout the world has severely threatened the global economy and public health. Due to receiving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from a wide variety of sources (e.g., households, hospitals, slaughterhouses), urban sewage treatment systems are regarded as an important path for the transmission of waterborne viruses. This review presents a quantitative profile of the concentration distribution of typical viruses within wastewater collection systems and evaluates the influence of different characteristics of sewer systems on virus species and concentration. Then, the efficiencies and mechanisms of virus removal in the units of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are summarized and compared, among which the inactivation efficiencies of typical viruses by typical disinfection approaches under varied operational conditions are elucidated. Subsequently, the occurrence and removal of viruses in treated effluent reuse and desalination, as well as that in sewage sludge treatment, are discussed. Potential dissemination of viruses is emphasized by occurrence via aerosolization from toilets, the collection system and WWTP aeration, which might have a vital role in the transmission and spread of viruses. Finally, the frequency and concentration of viruses in reclaimed water, the probability of infection are also reviewed for discussing the potential health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianju Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Jing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
- School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Hang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Weixin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Xinhui Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Shijie You
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Hailong Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
- Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China
| | - Liangliang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
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Barrios ME, Díaz SM, Torres C, Costamagna DM, Blanco Fernández MD, Mbayed VA. Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in three districts of the Buenos Aires metropolitan region, Argentina, throughout nine months of surveillance: A pilot study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 800:149578. [PMID: 34426365 PMCID: PMC8359566 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In the current pandemic of COVID-19, sewage surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 genome has been used to complement viral epidemiology in different countries. The aim of this work was to introduce and evaluate this wastewater-based tool in the metropolitan region of Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a pilot study, surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater from three districts of this area was performed for more than nine months from June 2020 to April 2021. Viruses present in the samples were concentrated using polyethylene glycol precipitation and quantified using RT-qPCR CDC N1 assay. Virus recovery for SARS-CoV-2 and a potential surrogate, bovine coronavirus Mebus strain, that shares the Betacoronavirus genus and structural characteristics with SARS-CoV-2, were evaluated after concentration and detection procedures. Recovery of both viruses did not differ significantly, with a median for SARS-CoV-2 and BCoV of 0.085 (95% CI: 0.021-0.179) and 0.262 (95% CI: 1.18 × 10-5-0.564) respectively. The concentration of SARS-CoV-2 genome in wastewater ranged from 10 -1 to 10 3 cg/ml, depending on the wastewater treatment plant, type of collection site, viral recovery of the concentration method and the epidemiological situation of the outbreaks. Significant correlations were observed between SARS-CoV-2 concentration in wastewater and reported clinical cases, reinforcing the utility of this approach to monitor the epidemiological status of populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Elizabeth Barrios
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Junín 954 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290 (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Sofía Micaela Díaz
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBAVIM), Junín 954 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación, Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT), Godoy Cruz 2370 (C1425FQD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Carolina Torres
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290 (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBAVIM), Junín 954 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | | | - María Dolores Blanco Fernández
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290 (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBAVIM), Junín 954 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Viviana Andrea Mbayed
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290 (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBAVIM), Junín 954 (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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10
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Cammarata RV, Barrios ME, Díaz SM, García López G, Fortunato MS, Torres C, Blanco Fernández MD, Mbayed VA. Assessment of Microbiological Quality of Fresh Vegetables and Oysters Produced in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2021; 13:507-519. [PMID: 34449055 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09496-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fresh vegetables and shellfish are prone to microbial contamination through irrigation or breeding with sewage-polluted waters, as well as by infected food handlers. In this work, we studied the presence of human and bovine polyomaviruses and human norovirus in fresh lettuces, strawberries and oysters produced in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. In oysters, we also investigated F-specific RNA bacteriophages, indicator Escherichia coli (E. coli) and pathogen bacteria of concern (Salmonella spp., Vibrio spp.). Within vegetables, we found viral contamination of human origin given the presence of human-associated polyomaviruses -MCPyV, HPyV6, JCPyV, and SV40- in lettuce and strawberry samples (16 and 10%, respectively), probably coming from irrigation waters and food handling. Among oysters, human (MCPyV, 4.2%) and bovine (BPyV1, 8.4%) polyomaviruses were detected even with low counts of E. coli. Bacteriophages (n = 3) and Salmonella spp. (n = 1) were also found, while Vibrio spp. was not detected. These results may indicate that the contamination in oysters comes from human and animal excreta, probably present in breeding waters. Norovirus was not detected in any food sample. To our knowledge, this is the first description of SV40 in lettuces and MCPyV and BPyV1 in oysters. The detection of different viral contaminants encourages further studies to evaluate the need for including viral indicators in microbiological standards. The identification of possible sources and routes of contamination using viral markers during routine microbiological controls, such as the polyomaviruses used in this work, would be useful to focus attention on the most hazardous stages of the food production chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robertina Viviana Cammarata
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBaViM), Junín 956, 1113, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melina Elizabeth Barrios
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBaViM), Junín 956, 1113, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sofía Micaela Díaz
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBaViM), Junín 956, 1113, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica, Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, Godoy Cruz 2370, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guadalupe García López
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental, Junín 956, 1113, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Susana Fortunato
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental, Junín 956, 1113, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Torres
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBaViM), Junín 956, 1113, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Dolores Blanco Fernández
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBaViM), Junín 956, 1113, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Viviana Andrea Mbayed
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBaViM), Junín 956, 1113, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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11
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Gyawali P, Devane M, Scholes P, Hewitt J. Application of crAssphage, F-RNA phage and pepper mild mottle virus as indicators of human faecal and norovirus contamination in shellfish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 783:146848. [PMID: 33865125 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Shellfish growing waters contaminated with inadequately treated human wastewater is a major source of norovirus in shellfish and poses a significant human health risk to consumers. Microbial source tracking (MST) markers have been widely used to identify the source (s) of faecal contamination in water but data are limited on their use for shellfish safety. This study evaluated the source specificity, sensitivity, occurrence and concentration of three viral MST markers i.e. cross-assembly phage (crAssphage), F-specific RNA bacteriophage genogroup II (F-RNA phage GII) and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) using animal faeces (n = 119; 16 animal groups), influent wastewater (n = 12), effluent wastewater (n = 16) and shellfish (n = 33). CrAssphage, F-RNA phage GII and PMMoV had source specific values of 0.97, 0.99 and 0.91, respectively. The sensitivity of MST markers was confirmed by their 100% detection frequency in influent wastewaters. The frequency of detection in effluent wastewater ranged from 81.3% (F-RNA phage GII) to 100% (PMMoV). Concentration of F-RNA phage GII was one log10 (influent wastewater) and 2-3 log10 (effluent wastewater) lower than crAssphage and PMMoV, respectively. Despite lower prevalence of F-RNA phage GII in oysters and mussels compared to crAssphage and PMMoV, concentrations of the three MST markers were similar in mussels. As an indicator of norovirus contamination in shellfish, crAssphage and PMMoV had greater predictive sensitivity (100%; [95% CI; 81.5%-100%)]) and F-RNA phage GII had greater predictive specificity (93.3%; [95% CI; 68.1%-99.8%]). In contrast, crAssphage and F-RNA phage GII have similar accuracy for predicting norovirus in shellfish, however, PMMoV significantly overestimated its presence. Therefore, a combination of crAssphage and F-RNA phage GII analysis of shellfish could provide a robust estimation of the presence of human faecal and norovirus contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradip Gyawali
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR), Porirua 5240, New Zealand.
| | - Megan Devane
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR), Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Paula Scholes
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR), Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Joanne Hewitt
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR), Porirua 5240, New Zealand.
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12
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Characterization of a novel group I F-specific RNA bacteriophage isolated from human stool. Arch Microbiol 2021; 203:4065-4072. [PMID: 34050782 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-021-02402-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A novel F-specific RNA bacteriophage (FRNAPH) YM1, affiliating to genogroup I (GI) of Levivirus, is isolated for the first time from human stool samples using double-layer agar plates with the Escherichia coli ATCC700891 as the host. The complete genomic sequence of YM1 is 3551 nt in length, obtained through next-generation sequencing, and contains four genes encoding for maturation protein, coat protein, lysis protein, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The genomic sequence of YM1 shares the highest similarity of 95.3% with that of a GI FRNAPH DL16 isolated from surface water of Great Bay. The YM1 possesses a non-enveloped, icosahedral virion of 23 ± 0.45 nm in diameter. One-step growth curve analysis shows that the burst time of YM1 is 30 min post-infection (p.i.) with the average burst size of 264 PFU/cell. The YM1 lyses only E. coli strains tested, revealing high host specificity. This newly discovered phage may serve as a candidate for viral indicator to monitor human enteric virus, especially norovirus, contamination in the environments.
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Diversity of β-lactamase-encoding genes in wastewater: bacteriophages as reporters. Arch Virol 2021; 166:1337-1344. [PMID: 33683473 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-05024-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is present in pathogenic, commensal, and environmental bacteria as well as in mobile genetic elements, including bacteriophages. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered hotspots for the spread of ARGs. The aim of this work was to analyze the diversity of the highly prevalent ARGs blaCTX-M and blaTEM in bacterial and bacteriophage fractions associated with human and animal environments through the study of urban waste and animal residues discharged into WWTPs to provide information about the composition and maintenance of the current resistome in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The results showed that a putative extended-spectrum variant of the blaTEM gene was the most frequently detected, with blaTEM-116 being the most prevalent, while a recently described type, blaTEM-229, was also found. In the bacteriophage fraction, we detected blaCTX-M genes from four out of the five clusters described. The detection of blaCTX- M-9-like and blaCTX-M-25-like genes was unexpected based on surveys of the ARGs from clinical pathogens circulating regionally. The finding of divergent blaCTX-M sequences associated with previously reported environmental genes argues in favor of the natural environment as a reservoir of resistance genes. ARGs were detected in bacteriophages as frequently as in bacterial communities, and furthermore, the blaCTX-M genes were more diverse in the bacteriophage fraction. Bacteriophages might therefore play a role in the spread of ARGs in the environment, but they might also be used as "reporters" for monitoring circulating ARGs.
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14
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Mohan SV, Hemalatha M, Kopperi H, Ranjith I, Kumar AK. SARS-CoV-2 in environmental perspective: Occurrence, persistence, surveillance, inactivation and challenges. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL (LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND : 1996) 2021; 405:126893. [PMID: 32901196 PMCID: PMC7471803 DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The unprecedented global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is depicting the distressing pandemic consequence on human health, economy as well as ecosystem services. So far novel coronavirus (CoV) outbreaks were associated with SARS-CoV-2 (2019), middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV, 2012), and SARS-CoV-1 (2003) events. CoV relates to the enveloped family of Betacoronavirus (βCoV) with positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA). Knowing well the persistence, transmission, and spread of SARS-CoV-2 through proximity, the faecal-oral route is now emerging as a major environmental concern to community transmission. The replication and persistence of CoV in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and shedding through stools is indicating a potential transmission route to the environment settings. Despite of the evidence, based on fewer reports on SARS-CoV-2 occurrence and persistence in wastewater/sewage/water, the transmission of the infective virus to the community is yet to be established. In this realm, this communication attempted to review the possible influx route of the enteric enveloped viral transmission in the environmental settings with reference to its occurrence, persistence, detection, and inactivation based on the published literature so far. The possibilities of airborne transmission through enteric virus-laden aerosols, environmental factors that may influence the viral transmission, and disinfection methods (conventional and emerging) as well as the inactivation mechanism with reference to the enveloped virus were reviewed. The need for wastewater epidemiology (WBE) studies for surveillance as well as for early warning signal was elaborated. This communication will provide a basis to understand the SARS-CoV-2 as well as other viruses in the context of the environmental engineering perspective to design effective strategies to counter the enteric virus transmission and also serves as a working paper for researchers, policy makers and regulators.
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Key Words
- (h+), Photoholes
- +ssRNA, Positive Sense Single-Stranded RNA
- A-WWTS, Algal-WWTS
- ACE2, Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- AH, Absolute Humidity
- AOPs, Advanced Oxidation Processes
- ASP, Activate Sludge Process
- Aerosols
- BCoV, Bovine Enteric Coronavirus)
- BSL, Biosafety Level
- BVDV1, Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Type 1
- BVDV2, Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Type 2
- BoRv, Bovine Rotavirus Group A
- CCA, Carbon Covered Alumina
- CNT, Carbon Nanotubes
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, Coronavirus Disease 2019
- CRFK, Crandell Reese feline kidney cell line (CRFK)
- CVE, Coxsackievirus B5
- ClO2, Chlorine dioxide
- Cl−, Chlorine
- Cys, Cysteine
- DBP, Disinfection by-products
- DBT, L2 and Delayed Brain Tumor Cell Cultures
- DMEM, Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium
- DNA, deoxyribose nucleic acid
- Disinfection
- E gene, Envelope protein gene
- EV, Echovirus 11
- Enteric virus
- Enveloped virus
- FC, Free Chlorine
- FFP3, Filtering Face Piece
- FIPV, Feline infectious peritonitis virus
- GI, Gastrointestinal tract
- H2O2, Hydrogen Peroxide
- H3N2, InfluenzaA
- H6N2, Avian influenza virus
- HAV, Hepatitis A virus (HAV)
- HAdV, Human Adenovirus
- HCoV, Human CoV
- HEV, Hepatitis E virus
- HKU1, Human CoV1
- ICC-PCR, Integrated Cell Culture with PCR
- JCV, JCV polyomavirus
- MALDI-TOF MS, Mass Spectrometry
- MBR, Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)
- MERS-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
- MHV, Murine hepatitis virus
- MNV-1, Murine Norovirus
- MWCNTs, Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
- Met, Methionine
- N gene, Nucleocapsid protein gene
- NCoV, Novel coronavirus
- NGS, Next generation sequencing
- NTP, Non-Thermal Plasma
- O2, Singlet Oxygen
- O3, Ozone
- ORF, Open Reading Frame
- PAA, Para Acetic Acid
- PCR, Polymerase Chain Reaction
- PEC, Photoelectrocatalytical
- PEG, Polyethylene Glycol
- PFU, Plaque Forming Unit
- PMMoV, Pepper Mild Mottle Virus
- PMR, Photocatalytic Membrane Reactors
- PPE, Personal Protective Equipment
- PTAF, Photocatalytic Titanium Apatite Filter
- PV-1, Polivirus-1
- PV-3, Poliovirus 3
- PVDF, Polyvinylidene Fluoride
- Qβ, bacteriophages
- RH, Relative Humidity
- RNA, Ribose nucleic acid
- RONS, Reactive Oxygen and/or Nitrogen Species
- RT-PCR, Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- RVA, Rotaviruses A
- SARS-CoV-1, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 1
- SARS-CoV-2, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
- SBR, Sequential Batch Reactor
- SODIS, Solar water disinfection
- STP, Sewage Treatment Plant
- Sewage
- T90, First order reaction time required for completion of 90%
- T99.9, First order reaction time required for completion of 99.9%
- TGEV, Porcine Coronavirus Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus
- TGEV, Transmissible Gastroenteritis
- Trp, Tryptophan
- Tyr, Tyrosine
- US-EPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency
- UV, Ultraviolet
- WBE, Wastewater-Based Epidemiology
- WWT, Wastewater Treatment
- WWTPs, Wastewater Treatment Plants
- dPCR, Digital PCR
- ds, Double Stranded
- dsDNA, Double Stranded DNA
- log10, logarithm with base 10
- qRT-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR
- ss, Single Stranded
- ssDNA, Single Stranded DNA
- ssRNA, Single Stranded RNA
- αCoV, Alphacoronavirus
- βCoV, Betacoronavirus
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Affiliation(s)
- S Venkata Mohan
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) Campus, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Manupati Hemalatha
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) Campus, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Harishankar Kopperi
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - I Ranjith
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - A Kiran Kumar
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500007, India
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) Dispensary, Hyderabad 500007, India
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15
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Farkas K, Walker DI, Adriaenssens EM, McDonald JE, Hillary LS, Malham SK, Jones DL. Viral indicators for tracking domestic wastewater contamination in the aquatic environment. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 181:115926. [PMID: 32417460 PMCID: PMC7211501 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Waterborne enteric viruses are an emerging cause of disease outbreaks and represent a major threat to global public health. Enteric viruses may originate from human wastewater and can undergo rapid transport through aquatic environments with minimal decay. Surveillance and source apportionment of enteric viruses in environmental waters is therefore essential for accurate risk management. However, individual monitoring of the >100 enteric viral strains that have been identified as aquatic contaminants is unfeasible. Instead, viral indicators are often used for quantitative assessments of wastewater contamination, viral decay and transport in water. An ideal indicator for tracking wastewater contamination should be (i) easy to detect and quantify, (ii) source-specific, (iii) resistant to wastewater treatment processes, and (iv) persistent in the aquatic environment, with similar behaviour to viral pathogens. Here, we conducted a comprehensive review of 127 peer-reviewed publications, to critically evaluate the effectiveness of several viral indicators of wastewater pollution, including common enteric viruses (mastadenoviruses, polyomaviruses, and Aichi viruses), the pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), and gut-associated bacteriophages (Type II/III FRNA phages and phages infecting human Bacteroides species, including crAssphage). Our analysis suggests that overall, human mastadenoviruses have the greatest potential to indicate contamination by domestic wastewater due to their easy detection, culturability, and high prevalence in wastewater and in the polluted environment. Aichi virus, crAssphage and PMMoV are also widely detected in wastewater and in the environment, and may be used as molecular markers for human-derived contamination. We conclude that viral indicators are suitable for the long-term monitoring of viral contamination in freshwater and marine environments and that these should be implemented within monitoring programmes to provide a holistic assessment of microbiological water quality and wastewater-based epidemiology, improve current risk management strategies and protect global human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kata Farkas
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK; School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK.
| | - David I Walker
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB, UK
| | | | - James E McDonald
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Luke S Hillary
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Shelagh K Malham
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Davey L Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK; UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
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16
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Viral and Bacterial Fecal Indicators in Untreated Wastewater across the Contiguous United States Exhibit Geospatial Trends. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.02967-19. [PMID: 32060019 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02967-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cultivated fecal indicator bacteria such as Escherichia coli and enterococci are typically used to assess the sanitary quality of recreational waters. However, these indicators suffer from several limitations, such as the length of time needed to obtain results and the fact that they are commensal inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract of many animals and have fate and transport characteristics dissimilar to pathogenic viruses. Numerous emerging technologies that offer same-day water quality results or pollution source information or that more closely mimic persistence patterns of disease-causing pathogens that may improve water quality management are now available, but data detailing geospatial trends in wastewater across the United States are sparse. We report geospatial trends of cultivated bacteriophage (somatic, F+, and total coliphages and GB-124 phage), as well as genetic markers targeting polyomavirus, enterococci, E. coli, Bacteroidetes, and human-associated Bacteroides spp. (HF183/BacR287 and HumM2) in 49 primary influent sewage samples collected from facilities across the contiguous United States. Samples were selected from rural and urban facilities spanning broad latitude, longitude, elevation, and air temperature gradients by using a geographic information system stratified random site selection procedure. Most indicators in sewage demonstrated a remarkable similarity in concentration regardless of location. However, some exhibited predictable shifts in concentration based on either facility elevation or local air temperature. Geospatial patterns identified in this study, or the absence of such patterns, may have several impacts on the direction of future water quality management research, as well as the selection of alternative metrics to estimate sewage pollution on a national scale.IMPORTANCE This study provides multiple insights to consider for the application of bacterial and viral indicators in sewage to surface water quality monitoring across the contiguous United States, ranging from method selection considerations to future research directions. Systematic testing of a large collection of sewage samples confirmed that crAssphage genetic markers occur at a higher average concentration than key human-associated Bacteroides spp. on a national scale. Geospatial testing also suggested that some methods may be more suitable than others for widespread implementation. Nationwide characterization of indicator geospatial trends in untreated sewage represents an important step toward the validation of these newer methods for future water quality monitoring applications. In addition, the large paired-measurement data set reported here affords the opportunity to conduct a range of secondary analyses, such as the generation of new or updated quantitative microbial risk assessment models used to estimate public health risk.
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17
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Bathing Activities and Microbiological River Water Quality in the Paris Area: A Long-Term Perspective. THE HANDBOOK OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/698_2019_397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThis chapter presents the historical aspects regarding swimming in rivers in the Paris region since the seventeenth century, including the concept of fecal contamination indicator bacteria (FIBs) developed at the very beginning of the twentieth century, and historical contamination data covering more than one century in the Paris agglomeration. The sources of microbiological contamination of river waters are quantified, showing the importance of rain events. The present contamination levels are presented with reference to the European Directive for bathing water quality. FIB levels show that the sufficient quality for bathing is not reached yet in any of the monitored stations. A comprehensive data set regarding waterborne pathogens (viruses, Giardia, Cryptosporidium) in the Seine and Marne rivers is presented as a necessary complement to the regulatory FIB data to better evaluate health risks. The last section concludes on the actions to be conducted to improve the rivers’ microbiological quality in the coming years.
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18
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Randazzo W, Piqueras J, Evtoski Z, Sastre G, Sancho R, Gonzalez C, Sánchez G. Interlaboratory Comparative Study to Detect Potentially Infectious Human Enteric Viruses in Influent and Effluent Waters. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2019; 11:350-363. [PMID: 31154654 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-019-09392-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater represents the main reusable water source after being adequately sanitized by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In this sense, only bacterial quality indicators are usually checked to this end, and human pathogenic viruses usually escape from both sanitization procedures and controls, posing a health risk on the use of effluent waters. In this study, we evaluated a protocol based on aluminum adsorption-precipitation to concentrate several human enteric viruses, including norovirus genogroup I (NoV GI), NoV GII, hepatitis A virus (HAV), astrovirus (HAstV), and rotavirus (RV), with limits of detection of 4.08, 4.64, 5.46 log genomic copies (gc)/L, 3.31, and 5.41 log PCR units (PCRU)/L, respectively. Furthermore, the method was applied in two independent laboratories to monitor the presence of NoV GI, NoV GII, and HAV in effluent and influent waters collected from five WWTPs at two different sampling dates. Concomitantly, a viability PMAxx-RT-qPCR was applied to all the samples to get information on the potential infectivity of both influent and effluent waters. The ranges of the titers in influent waters for NoV GI, NoV GII, RV, and HAstV were 4.80-7.56, 5.19-7.31 log gc/L, 5.41-6.52, and 4.59-7.33 log PCRU/L, respectively. In effluent waters, the titers ranged between 4.08 and 6.27, 4.64 and 6.08 log gc/L, < 5.51, and between 3.31 and 5.58 log PCRU/L. Moreover, the viral titers detected by viability RT-qPCR showed statistical differences with RT-qPCR alone, suggesting the potential viral infectivity of the samples despite some observed reductions. The proposed method could be applied in ill-equipped laboratories, due to the lack of a requirement for a specific apparatus (i.e., ultracentrifuge).
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Randazzo
- Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Av. Dr. Moliner, 50, Burjassot, 46100, Valencia, Spain.
- Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, IATA-CSIC, Av. Agustín Escardino 7, Paterna, 46980, Valencia, Spain.
| | | | - Zoran Evtoski
- Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, IATA-CSIC, Av. Agustín Escardino 7, Paterna, 46980, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, P.le Salvatore Tommasi, 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Raquel Sancho
- GAMASER, Isaac Peral, 4, Paterna, 46980, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Gloria Sánchez
- Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, IATA-CSIC, Av. Agustín Escardino 7, Paterna, 46980, Valencia, Spain.
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19
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Occurrence of Bacterial Markers and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Sub-Saharan Rivers Receiving Animal Farm Wastewaters. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14847. [PMID: 31619758 PMCID: PMC6795877 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51421-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes which confer resistance to antibiotics from human/animal sources are currently considered a serious environmental and a public health concern. This problem is still little investigated in aquatic environment of developing countries according to the different climatic conditions. In this research, the total bacterial load, the abundance of relevant bacteria (Escherichia coli (E. coli), Enterococcus (Ent), and Pseudomonas), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs: blaOXA-48, blaCTX-M, sul1, sul2, sul3, and tet(B)) were quantified using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) in sediments from two rivers receiving animal farming wastewaters under tropical conditions in Kinshasa, capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Human and pig host-specific markers were exploited to examine the sources of contamination. The total bacterial load correlated with relevant bacteria and genes blaOXA-48, sul3, and tet(B) (P value < 0.01). E. coli strongly correlated with 16s rDNA, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas spp., blaOXA-48, sul3, and tet(B) (P value < 0.01) and with blaCTX-M, sul1, and sul2 at a lower magnitude (P value < 0.05). The most abundant and most commonly detected ARGs were sul1, and sul2. Our findings confirmed at least two sources of contamination originating from pigs and anthropogenic activities and that animal farm wastewaters didn’t exclusively contribute to antibiotic resistance profile. Moreover, our analysis sheds the light on developing countries where less than adequate infrastructure or lack of it adds to the complexity of antibiotic resistance proliferation with potential risks to the human exposure and aquatic living organisms. This research presents useful tools for the evaluation of emerging microbial contaminants in aquatic ecosystems which can be applied in the similar environment.
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