Detection and characterization of hepatitis A virus and Norovirus in estuarine water samples using ultrafiltration--RT-PCR integrated methods.
OBJECTIVE
Waterborne outbreaks of hepatitis A and Norovirus disease have been reported and associated with contaminated water supply in various countries. However, in Mexico, there are no studies that report HAV and NV presence in water. This study reports the application of ultrafiltration and RT-nested PCR methods to concentrate and identify these viruses.


RESULTS
Forty estuarine water samples were collected from the Huizache Caimanero Lagunary Complex. Samples were concentrated by ultrafiltration system (UFS) and RT-nested PCR was performed for HAV and NV identification. These viruses were found in 80% and 70% of the samples collected respectively and both were present in 57.5%. The DNA sequences analysis showed that 21 estuarine water samples were associated with HAV and 13 with NV. Faecal coliforms were isolated in 48.57% of the samples, while Escherichia coli were found in 34.28%.


CONCLUSIONS
DNA sequencing showed that the genotype IB for HAV and GII for NV were predominant in México. No significant relationships were detected between indicators and viruses (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that the UFS is adequate for viral concentration. This is the first study analysing the genetic sequence of HAV and NV isolated from Mexican estuarine water.
Hernandez-Morga
J
J
Centro de Investigacion en Alimentacion y Desarrollo, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico.
Leon-Felix
J
J
Peraza-Garay
F
F
Gil-Salas
B G
BG
Chaidez
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D005398:Fisheries; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology; D030041:Hepatitis A virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008800:Mexico; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D029322:Norovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014462:Ultrafiltration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014871:Water Microbiology
D012367:RNA, Viral; D014867:Water