Factors that can interfere with virus concentration from wastewater when using zeta plus 60S filter membranes

Zeta plus filter membranes (ZP60S) have been shown to be efficient for rotavirus concentration from wastewater and for the reduction of cytotoxicity for cell cultures. Recently a variability in both properties was observed. In view of the low costs and the high virus recovery rates obtained in the past, we re-evaluated the application of ZP60S filter membranes for virus concentration from environmental samples. Some factors that could interfere with the concentration strategy using ZP60S were also considered and assessed including the type of water to be filtered and the possible release of toxic substances from the membrane matrix during filtration.

Detection of rotavirus in sewage and creek water: efficiency of the concentration method

Simian rotavirus SA-11, experimentally seede, was recovered from raw domestic sewage by a two-step concentration procedure, using filtration through a positively charged microporous filter (Zeta Plus 60 S) followed by ultracentrifugation, effecting an 8000-fold concentration. By this method, a mean recovery of 81 per centñ7.5 of the SA-11 virus was achieved.

Serotypes and electropherotypes of human rotavirus detected in the city of São Luís (MA), Brazil

A total of 22 (65) of 34 representative rotavirus-positive specimens from infants with acute gastroenteritis were electropherotyped (RNA genome segments) and serotyped using an enzyme immunoassay with monoclonal antibodies (ELISA with MAbs). Serotype 3 was predominant during the 10-month study period (41), followed by serotype 1 (27) and serotype 4 (9). Serotype 2 was not found. Rotavirus strains were grouped into 3 major electropherotypes designated V, W and Z, each corresponding to a single serotype, i.e., serotypes 1, 3 and 4, respectively. Three strains that could not be typed by the serologic technique showed the W electrophoretic profile. The relative migration of the gene segments 7-9 was the main feature distinguishing the predominant serotype 3 from the other serotypes. The migration of segments 2 and 5 was also important for differentiating serotype 4 strains. The present study strengthens the view that electropherotyping, when used in conjunction with serotyping, can help characterize atypical and unusual strains, as well as rotaviruses that cannot be typed by the serologic technique.