Comparative assessment of mammalian reoviruses versus enteroviruses as indicator for viral water pollution

Enteric viruses are important causative agents of human diseases. Among the enteric viruses, reoviruses and enteroviruses are prevalent in various aquatic environments. This study was carried out to detect and compare the presence of reoviruses and enteroviruses by ICCPCR in one wastewater and three drinking water treatment plants, studying the possibility of using reoviruses as indicator of viral water pollution and genotyping of the isolated strains. One hundred and forty four drinking water and 76 wastewater samples were collected for two years. Reoviruses and enteroviruses were detected in 12.5% [18/144] and 8.3% [12/144] of total collected drinking water samples. In the studied wastewater treatment plant [WWTP], reoviruses were detected in 26% [20/76] of total collected samples while enteroviruses were detected in 21% [16/76] of the total collected samples. Phylogenic analysis revealed that our sequences were closely related to reovirus type 1, Lang strain and Human poliovirus typel. Conclusion: The higher incidence of reoviruses than enteroviruses reflects the possibility of using reoviruses as indicator of water pollution

Bacterial contamination and endotoxin production in the water treatment system for hemodialysis

The present study aimed to assess bacterial contamination and endotoxin production in water treatment system for hemodialysis. It also aimed to evaluate the efficiency of decontamination measures applied along the water pathway in the system. The study was conducted in the water treatment system of Pediatric Dialysis Unit, Children's Hospital, Ain-Shams University. Samples were examined for four consecutive weeks after changing the bacterial filter; three samples were collected at each week. One sample was taken from tap water [sample A], another sample was taken from treated water just after the bacterial filter [sample B] and the third sample was taken from water in the returning pipe system not used by the hemodialysis machines [sample C]. Quantitative methods were used for the total count of viable heterotrophic microorganisms [denoting bacterial contamination], total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Enterococci, Pseudomonas spp. and the sulfite-reducing Clostridia [denoting fecal contamination]. The samples were assayed for endotoxin by the limulus amebocyte lysate [LAL] kit, employing a GEL-CLOT LAL. It is a qualitative non-kinetic assay

Infection by certain arboviruses among workers potentially at risk of infection

Egyptian workers at sewage treatment plants [STPs] work and live in areas highly infested with arthropods. Most of these diseases cause, febrile, influenza like illness, headache, backache, abdominal pain and fatigue. To determine arboviral etiology in those workers, 264 serum samples were obtained from them in four STPs during January and October 1999. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] was performed for immunoglobulins [IgG and IgM] for the detection of West Nile [WN], Sindbis [SIN], Rift Valley fever [RVF], Sandfly Naples [SFN] and Sandfly Sicilian [SFS] viruses. The results showed that WN has the highest prevalence [54.14%], followed by SFN [21.97%], then RVF [7.95%]; while only one recent infection for each of RVF, SFS and SFN [0.38%] and three cases of SIN viruses were detected. Out of the four STPs Helwan workers' exhibited the highest infection rate for most of the studied arboviruses [WN, SFN, SIN and SFS]