Analysis of enterovirus and adenovirus presence in swimming pools in Cyprus from 2007-2008.

An analysis was carried out to determine the presence of enteroviruses and adenoviruses in public swimming pools in Cyprus. The effectiveness of the commonly implemented disinfection procedure of chlorination was confirmed by determination of bacteriological markers. Analysis of viral presence was carried out by sampling random swimming pools from the five major cities in Cyprus during a period of 21 months spanning from April 2007 to December 2008. A 10 I sample was taken from each swimming pool to be tested and was subsequently concentrated via membrane filtration using a new methodological approach for virus elution. Concentrated samples were analysed using of a Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) TaqMan probe based approach to detect the presence of enteroviruses and adenoviruses. Over the period of 21 months a total of 126 swimming pools were sampled and analysed. In four swimming pools enteroviruses were detected, in one pool echovirus 18 was identified, in two pools echovirus 30 was identified and in one other pool poliovirus Sabin 1 was identified. Similarly, in four swimming pools adenoviruses were detected, in all four adenovirus 41 was identified. Bacteriological marker analysis showed that 98% of pools complied with Cyprus regulations.

BRCA1 germline mutations in Cypriot breast cancer patients from 26 families with family history.

Germline mutations in the BRCA1 gene are causative for a variable number of hereditary breast/ovarian cancers. The data presented in this study are based on genetic analysis of the BRCA1 gene in 49 DNA samples from breast cancer patients with a positive family history. A combination of manual direct DNA sequencing and SSCP analysis was used to screen the entire coding region of BRCA1. Overall 13 variants were detected which included 5 missense mutations, 3 polymorphisms and 5 intronic changes. Further genetic analysis of the 13 variants was carried out using 50 control DNA samples. Our results showed that 12 out of the 13 variants detected in the DNA of the patients group, were also present in the control group. It appears that the Greek Cypriot families studied so far have an unexpectebly low frequency of deleterious mutations in the BRCA1 gene. This is the first report on BRCA1 mutation analysis in Cyprus.

A simple methodological approach for counting and identifying culturable viruses adsorbed to cellulose nitrate membrane filters.

We identified conditions under which Buffalo green monkey cells grew on the surfaces of cellulose nitrate membrane filters in such a way that they covered the entire surface of each filter and penetrated through the pores. When such conditions were used, poliovirus that had previously been adsorbed on the membranes infected the cells and replicated. A plaque assay method and a quantal method (most probable number of cytopathic units) were used to detect and count the viruses adsorbed on the membrane filters. Polioviruses in aqueous suspensions were then concentrated by adsorption to cellulose membrane filters and were subsequently counted without elution, a step which is necessary when the commonly used methods are employed. The pore size of the membrane filter, the sample contents, and the sample volume were optimized for tap water, seawater, and a 0.25 M glycine buffer solution. The numbers of viruses recovered under the optimized conditions were more than 50% greater than the numbers counted by the standard plaque assay. When ceftazidime was added to the assay medium in addition to the antibiotics which are typically used, the method could be used to study natural samples with low and intermediate levels of microbial pollution without decontamination of the samples. This methodological approach also allowed plaque hybridization either directly on cellulose nitrate membranes or on Hybond N+ membranes after the preparations were transferred.