Solar disinfection of poliovirus and Acanthamoeba polyphaga cysts in water - a laboratory study using simulated sunlight.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of solar disinfection (SODIS) in disinfecting water contaminated with poliovirus and Acanthamoeba polyphaga cysts.


RESULTS
Organisms were subjected to a simulated global solar irradiance of 850 Wm(-2) in water temperatures between 25 and 55 degrees C. SODIS at 25 degrees C totally inactivated poliovirus after 6-h exposure (reduction of 4.4 log units). No SODIS-induced reduction in A. polyphaga cyst viability was observed for sample temperatures below 45 degrees C. Total cyst inactivation was only observed after 6-h SODIS exposure at 50 degrees C (3.6 log unit reduction) and after 4 h at 55 degrees C (3.3 log unit reduction).


CONCLUSIONS
SODIS is an effective means of disinfecting water contaminated with poliovirus and A. polyphaga cysts, provided water temperatures of 50-55 degrees C are attained in the latter case.


CONCLUSIONS
This research presents the first SODIS inactivation curve for poliovirus and provides further evidence that batch SODIS provides effective protection against waterborne protozoan cysts.
Heaselgrave
W
W
Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, School of Medicine, University of Leicester, UK.
Patel
N
N
Kilvington
S
S
Kehoe
S C
SC
McGuigan
K G
KG
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D007634:Keratitis / Q000382:microbiology; D017955:Poliovirus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013472:Sunlight; D038301:Virus Inactivation; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
D014867:Water