Teschoviruses as indicators of porcine fecal contamination of surface water.
Teschoviruses specifically infect pigs and are shed in pig feces. Hence, their presence in water should indicate contamination with pig fecal residues. To assess this hypothesis, we have developed a real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) method that allows the quantitative detection of pig teschovirus (PTV) RNA. The method is able to detect 92 fg of PTV RNA per ml of sample. Using this method, we have detected the presence of PTV RNA in water and fecal samples from all pig farms examined (n = 5). Feces from other animal species (cattle, sheep, and goats) were negative in this test. To compare the PTV RNA detection method with conventional chemical determinations currently in use for evaluation of water contamination, we analyzed water samples collected downstream from a pig slurry spillage site. We have found a positive correlation within both types of determinations. The sensitivity of the PTV detection assay was similar to that achieved by unspecific organic matter determination and superior to all other conventional chemical analyses performed. Furthermore, the new method is highly specific, revealing the porcine origin of the contamination, a feature that is lacking in currently available methods for the assessment of water contamination.
Jiménez-Clavero
Miguel Angel
MA
Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Fernández
Carlos
C
Ortiz
José Antonio
JA
Pro
Javier
J
Carbonell
Gregoria
G
Tarazona
José Vicente
JV
Roblas
Neftalí
N
Ley
Victoria
V
D000818:Animals; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000821:virology*; D010849:Picornaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010850:Picornaviridae Infections / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000821:virology; D014876:Water Pollution
D012367:RNA, Viral