Abstract
A particular challenge to water safety in populous intertropical regions is the lack of reliable faecal indicators to detect microbiological contamination of water, while the numerical relationships of specific viral indicators remain largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the numerical relationships of FRNA-bacteriophage genotypes, adenovirus 41, and human adenoviruses (HADV) in Mexican surface water systems to assess sewage contamination. We studied the presence of HADV, HADV41 and FRNA bacteriophage genotypes in water samples and quantified by qPCR and RT-qPCR. Virus and water quality indicator variances, as analyzed by principal component analysis and partial least squared regression, followed along the major percentiles of water faecal enterococci. FRNA bacteriophages adequately deciphered viral and point source water contamination. The strongest correlation for HADV was with FRNA bacteriophage type II, in water samples higher than the 50th percentiles of faecal enterococci, thus indicating urban pollution. FRNA bacteriophage genotypes I and III virus indicator performances were assisted by their associations with electrical conductivity and faecal enterococci. In combination, our methods are useful for inferring water quality degradation caused by sewage contamination. The methods used have potential for determining source contamination in water and, specifically, the presence of enteric viruses where clean and contaminated water have mixed.
Highlights
Waterborne enteric viruses inflict a heavy disease burden on developing countries
FRNAGIII was not detected in any samples from the Cuitzmala River; there were fewer bacteriophages present in the sampling points from this river, compared with samples from the same faecal enterococci percentile
The genome numbers were higher for FRNA bacteriophages within the 10th faecal enterococci percentile samples because of the sample origin: wastewater filtered through soil that emerged at the Cerro Colorado Spring, in the Mezquital Valley
Summary
Waterborne enteric viruses inflict a heavy disease burden on developing countries. Enteric viruses negatively impact the quality of life for people and reduce their productivity and the number of days spent working. Enteric virus emissions to water bodies and the low infectious doses required represent a major obstacle to further mortality reductions in children younger than five years of age. The incidence of enteric viruses in children can be very high, as revealed. Reliable Viral Indicators of Water Quality analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript
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