Hepatitis A Research Articles

Trends of Hepatitis A Virus Infection in Poland: Assessing the Potential Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and War in Ukraine.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis, which is preventable by vaccination. This study analyzed trends of HAV infections in Poland according to socio-demographic features in the years 2009-2022 and assessed the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023) and the migration of war refugees from Ukraine (since February 2022). In 2009-2022, 7115 new cases of HAV infection were diagnosed in Poland, especially among men (66.4%) and in urban areas (77.4%). Infections among men were most common at the age of 25-34 (median rate 0.43 per 105) and in women aged 15-24 (median rate 0.39 per 105). Analysis of the 14-year frequency of HAV infections exhibited three trends, regardless of gender, age, and residence. The infections revealed a downward trend in 2009-2014, increased significantly in 2014-2018, and decreased again after 2018. A particularly rapid increase in HAV infections occurred between March 2017 and February 2018 (median rate 0.79 per 105). The high level of new infections persisted until the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, at which point it dropped significantly but did not reach the level recorded before March 2017. During the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 dominance period, the median rate of HAV infections was 0.053 per 105, with a four-fold increase being observed from February 2022 (when the migration of war refugees from Ukraine began) to August 2022. The presented results can serve as a reference point for further observations in Central Europe. The HAV epidemiological situation is unlikely to escalate in Poland but requires further monitoring.

Biochemical analysis of the host factor activity of ZCCHC14 in hepatitis A virus replication.

Relatively little is known of the mechanisms underlying hepatitis A virus (HAV) genome replication. Unlike other well-studied picornaviruses, HAV RNA replication requires the zinc finger protein ZCCHC14 and non-canonical TENT4 poly(A) polymerases with which it forms a complex. The ZCCHC14-TENT4 complex binds to a stem-loop located within the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in the 5' untranslated RNA (5'UTR) and is essential for viral RNA synthesis, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here, we describe how different ZCCHC14 domains contribute to its RNA-binding, TENT4-binding, and HAV host factor activities. We show that the RNA-binding activity of ZCCHC14 requires both a sterile alpha motif (SAM) and a downstream unstructured domain (D4) and that ZCCHC14 contains two TENT4-binding sites: one at the N-terminus and the other around D4. Both RNA-binding and TENT4-binding are required for HAV host factor activity of ZCCHC14. We also demonstrate that the location of the ZCCHC14-binding site within the 5'UTR is critical for its function. Our study provides a novel insight into the function of ZCCHC14 and helps elucidate the mechanism of the ZCCHC14-TENT4 complex in HAV replication.IMPORTANCEThe zinc finger protein ZCCHC14 is an essential host factor for both hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). It recruits the non-canonical TENT4 poly(A) polymerases to viral RNAs and most likely also a subset of cellular mRNAs. Little is known about the details of these interactions. We show here the functional domains of ZCCHC14 that are involved in binding to HAV RNA and interactions with TENT4 and describe previously unrecognized peptide sequences that are critical for the HAV host factor activity of ZCCHC14. Our study advances the understanding of the ZCCHC14-TENT4 complex and how it functions in regulating viral and cellular RNAs.

Hepatitis A Virus Infection in Cynomolgus Monkeys Confounds the Safety Evaluation of a Drug Candidate.

In a 3-month toxicity study in cynomolgus monkeys at a European contract laboratory, animals were infected with HAV, initially resulting in hepatic injury being incorrectly attributed to the test compound. Elevated serum ALT/AST/GLDH (5- to 10-fold) were noted in individual animals from all groups including controls, with no apparent dose, exposure, or time-related relationship. Liver histopathology revealed minimal to slight inflammatory cell accumulation in periportal zones of most animals, and minimal to slight hepatocyte degeneration/necrosis in 10/42 animals from all groups. As these findings were more pronounced in 6 drug-treated animals, including 2/6 in the low dose group, the draft report concluded: "treatment-related hepatotoxicity at all dose levels precluded determination of a NOAEL." However, the unusual pattern of hepatotoxicity suggested a factor other than drug exposure might have caused the hepatic effects. Therefore, snap-frozen liver samples were tested for hepatitis viruses using a PCR method. Tests for hepatitis B, C, and E virus were negative; however, 20/42 samples were positive for hepatitis A virus (HAV). Infection was strongly associated with increased serum ALT/GLDH, and/or hepatocyte degeneration/necrosis. Re-evaluation of the study in light of these data concluded that the hepatic injury was not drug-related. A subsequent 6-month toxicology study in HAV-vaccinated cynomolgus monkeys confirmed the absence of hepatotoxicity. Identification of HAV infection supported progression of the drug candidate into later clinical trials. Although rarely investigated, subclinical HAV infection has occasionally been reported in laboratory primates, including those used for toxicology studies and it may be more prevalent than the literature indicates.

Prophylactic Treatment of Children with Hemophilia in Sweden.

Hemophilia A/B are caused by deficiency or lack of coagulation factors VIII (FVIII) or factor IX (FIX), respectively, in plasma. A person with hemophilia develops bleeding in the joints and muscles at an early age, which, if left untreated, leads to early arthropathy. Preventive treatment can be achieved by regular (prophylactic) administration of FVIII/FIX. In 1958, this was implemented on a small scale in Sweden with FVIII in patients with severe hemophilia A, and in those with hemophilia B in 1972 when FIX became available. However, there were problems with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis infection from contaminated blood products. In the 1990s, recombinant FVIII and FIX concentrates were introduced. The major remaining problems then were the development of inhibitors, and the need for a venous route for the injections in very young children. High-titer inhibitors were treated by immune tolerance induction according to a modified model of the original Bonn high-dose protocol. A central venous line, i.e., Port-A-Cath, has enabled early prophylaxis in many children with poor venous access and has enabled the early start of home treatment with adequate injection frequency. Scoring systems for X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and function of joints were developed early in Sweden and have been widely disseminated worldwide, partly with modifications. Extended half-life products with half-life increased three to five times have been developed, which can provide superior bleed protection when dosed once-weekly and can maintain therapeutic trough levels when administered less frequently. The ultimate prophylaxis therapy in the future may be gene therapy.

Density-gradient water-based air filters: Gas/solid-permeable and liquid-impermeable design

A water-based air filter (WAF) composed of an inner cylindrical hydrophilic filter and an outer hollow cylindrical hydrophobic filter was installed in an output chamber filled with water. The WAF with water (WAF-WW) showed outstanding recyclability (average PM2.5 RE = 96.5 %) for up to 100 cycles with consistent long-term performance (ΔREmin and max = 1.4 %) and low pressure drops (ΔP1st and 100th = 3 Pa), which were better than those of commercial HEPA filters (H13) (average PM2.5 RE = 96.2 %, ΔRE = 4 %, and ΔP = 21 Pa), at similar PM2.5 concentrations (1,721 μg/m3) and air velocities (0.92 m/s). The WAF-WW also exhibited excellent recyclability up to the 50th cycle with fast and complete removal (HCHO REat 2-13 min = 100 %) of HCHO gas at very low concentrations (0.08–4.98 ppm). Furthermore, since small PM0.3/PM2.5 particles and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) that are hardly filtered by air filters can be easily and quickly removed by the WAF-WW due to the water filter, this is another extraordinary benefit of the wet process over the dry process.

Hepatitis Screening in Community Pharmacies as a Measure of Reducing the Rate of Infections

The burden of dealing with HBV and HCV still remain despite the progress that has been made in screening, vaccination, and treating the infections. On average, there about 354 million cases of hepatitis globally. Hepatitis has high mortality rates. On average, 1.1 million people lose their lives to the infections each year. Addressing hepatitis requires rigorous measures one of them being increasing screening. Hepatitis infections are identified through screening. As such, screening and taking the right preventative and treatment measures can help to reduce the risk of infections. However, screening is still a challenge. The number of people who screen for hepatitis remains low despite the efforts that have been put in place to increase uptake. The uptake of screening is low because of inadequate access to screening centers. Thus, increasing screening settings can help to increase uptake. Community pharmacies can help to bridge this barrier by making screening more accessible. They are accessible and in close proximity to vulnerable populations, which makes them ideal as screening settings. This review explores the potential of community pharmacies as screening settings for HBV and HCV and whether they can help to reduce the rate of infections.
 Keywords: screening, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, community pharmacies

Decreasing parvovirus B19 and hepatitis A nucleic acid test positivity rates in Canadian plasma donors following the initiation of COVID-19 restriction in March 2020.

In Canada, plasma sent for fractionation is tested for both parvovirus B19 (B19V) and hepatitis A virus (HAV). This study compared positivity rates of B19 and HAV nucleic acid tests (NATs) in Canadian plasma samples for the pre-COVID-19 restriction era (2015 to end of February 2020 [Q1] 2020) and the post-COVID-19 restriction era. Pooled EDTA plasma specimens were tested within 24 months of blood draw using the Procleix Panther System (Grifols Diagnostic Solutions Inc, San Diego, CA, USA) for B19V and HAV detection. Reactive pools were resolved by individual specimen testing. Between 1 January 2015, and 31 March 2022, 3,928,619 specimens from Canadian plasma donors were tested for B19V. For the same period, 3,922,954 specimens were tested for HAV. To account for a lag in specimen testing for up to 24 months, the data were divided into: (1) a pre-pandemic period (1 January 2015-31 March 2020; B19V tested n = 2,412,701, B19V NAT-positive n = 240 [0.01%], HAV tested n = 2,407,036, HAV NAT-positive n = 26 [0.001%]); (2) a two-year mixed-impact period (1 April 2020-31 March 2022; B19V tested n = 968,250, B19V NAT-positive n = 14 [0.001%], HAV tested n = 968,250, HAV NAT-positive n = 2 [0.0002%]); and (3) a pandemic-impact period (1 April 2022-31 March, 2023; B19V tested n = 597,668, B19V NAT-positive n = 3 [0.0005%], HAV tested n = 597,668, HAV NAT-positive n = 1 [0.0002%]). The percentage of B19V- and HAV-positive donations was significantly reduced from the pre-pandemic period to the pandemic-impact period.

Loxapine inhibits replication of hepatitis A virus in vitro and in vivo by targeting viral protein 2C.

No antiviral drugs currently are available for treatment of infection by hepatitis A virus (HAV), a causative agent of acute hepatitis, a potentially life-threatening disease. Chemical screening of a small-compound library using nanoluciferase-expressing HAV identified loxapine succinate, a selective dopamine receptor D2 antagonist, as a potent inhibitor of HAV propagation in vitro. Loxapine succinate did not inhibit viral entry nor internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-dependent translation, but exhibited strong inhibition of viral RNA replication. Blind passage of HAV in the presence of loxapine succinate resulted in the accumulation of viruses containing mutations in the 2C-encoding region, which contributed to resistance to loxapine succinate. Analysis of molecular dynamics simulations of the interaction between 2C and loxapine suggested that loxapine binds to the N-terminal region of 2C, and that resistant mutations impede these interactions. We further demonstrated that administration of loxapine succinate to HAV-infected Ifnar1-/- mice (which lack the type I interferon receptor) results in decreases in the levels of fecal HAV RNA and of intrahepatic HAV RNA at an early stage of infection. These findings suggest that HAV protein 2C is a potential target for antivirals, and provide novel insights into the development of drugs for the treatment of hepatitis A.

Molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in saliva and classroom air: a two winters tale

ObjectivesTo compare the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in saliva and bioaerosols between two winters and to model the probability of virus detection in classroom air for different viruses. MethodsWe analysed saliva, air, and air cleaner filter samples from studies conducted in two Swiss secondary schools (students aged 14–17 years) over 7 weeks during the winters of 2021/22 and 2022/23. Two bioaerosol sampling devices and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters from air cleaners were used to collect airborne virus particles in four classrooms. Daily bioaerosol samples were pooled for each sampling device before PCR analysis of a panel of 19 respiratory viruses and viral subtypes. The probability of detection of airborne viruses was modelled using an adjusted Bayesian logistic regression model. ResultsThree classes (58 students) participated in 2021/22, and two classes (38 students) in 2022/23. During winter 2021/22, SARS-CoV-2 dominated in saliva (19 of 21 positive samples) and bioaerosols (9 of 10). One year later, there were 50 positive saliva samples, mostly influenza B, rhinovirus, and adenovirus, and two positive bioaerosol samples, one rhinovirus and one adenovirus. The weekly probability of airborne detection was 34% (95% credible interval [CrI] 22–47%) for SARS-CoV-2 and 10% (95% CrI 5–16%) for other respiratory viruses. DiscussionThere was a distinct shift in the distribution of respiratory viruses from SARS-CoV-2 during the omicron wave to other respiratory viruses one year later. SARS-CoV-2 is more likely to be detected in the air than other endemic respiratory viruses, possibly reflecting differences in viral characteristics and the composition of virus-carrying particles that facilitate airborne long-range transmission.

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Glycyrrhizic Acid in Liver Implication in Dengue Infection: A Case Report

Dengue is one of the most common infectious diseases affecting humans. The virus is transmitted between humans by the Aedes mosquito. It occurs hyperendemically in tropical and subtropical climates worldwide. Dengue infection can affect numerous organs, with the liver being the most frequently affected organ. The clinical spectrum of liver disorders ranges from mild elevation of transaminase enzymes to severe conditions such as acute liver failure. Several mechanisms have been proposed to describe hepatic dysfunction observed in dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever, such as immunological injury, hypoxic injury, and direct viral damage due to reduced hepatic perfusion during shock. Glycyrrhizic acid, extracted in the form of glycyrrhizin from the root of the licorice plant Glycyrrhiza glabra, is referred to as Stronger Neo-Minophagen-C (SNMC®). It has shown effectiveness in reducing serum aminotransferase and bilirubin levels, attenuating hepatocyte apoptosis, and producing endogenous interferon. The following is a case report of a 23-year-old woman with dengue fever and elevated liver enzyme level. The patient’s vital signs were stable. A physical examination revealed no abnormalities. A complete blood count test showed thrombocytopenia without an elevation of the hematocrit. AST level was 901 U/L after admission. Causes of other hepatitis infections, such as hepatitis A, B, and C, were excluded. The dengue IgM and IgG antibody levels were reactive. After several days of hospitalization, the patient experienced clinical improvement after supportive therapy and the administration of glicyrrhizic acid or SNMC®.

Infectious hepatitis E virus excreted into the vagina.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) persists in the male genital tract that associates with infertility. However, the presence of HEV in the female genital tract is unreported. Vaginal secretions, cervical smears, and cervix uteri were collected to explore the presence of HEV in the female genital tract. HEV RNA and/or antigens were detected in the vaginal secretions, cervical smears, and the cervix uteri of women. The infectivity of HEV excreted into vaginal secretions was further validated invitro. In addition, HEV replicates in the female genital tract were identified in HEV-infected animal models by vaginal injection or vaginal mucosal infection to imitate sexual transmission. Serious genital tract damage and inflammatory responses with significantly elevated mucosal innate immunity were observed in women or animals with HEV vaginal infection. Results demonstrated HEV replicates in the female genital tract and causes serious histopathological damage and inflammatory responses.

Histopathology (Gills and Stomach) and the Leukocyte Profiles of the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Induced by the Waste from High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filter

Histopathology (Gills and Stomach) and the Leukocyte Profiles of the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Induced by the Waste from High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filter

Inactivated TZ84 strain hepatitis A vaccine and its impact: A narrative review

Hepatitis A (HepA) represents a significant global public health challenge. At present, there is no definitive treatment available for managing HepA. Before the availability of HepA vaccines, hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection had emerged as a leading cause of fulminant hepatic failure and a significant indication for liver transplantation in children living in Argentina, Brazil, the Republic of Korea, and India. Inactivated HAV vaccines have demonstrated a high level of immunogenicity. In addition, there is evidence supporting the use of inactivated HepA vaccines in immunocompromised individuals and as post-exposure prophylaxis. Recently, the inactivated TZ84 strain hepatitis A vaccine, which has shown superior immunogenicity for up to 30 years and fewer adverse reactions when compared with other inactivated HepA vaccines, has become available in India. Moreover, the TZ84 strain of the inactivated HAV vaccine has the potential to control community-wide outbreaks. This narrative review offers an overview of the existing evidence concerning immunization against HepA in India, with a particular emphasis on the TZ84 strain of the inactivated HAV vaccine.

Design and synthesis of APN and 3CLpro dual-target inhibitors based on STSBPT with anticoronavirus activity.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) have continuously posed a threat to human and animal health. However, existing antiviral drugs are still insufficient in overcoming the challenges caused by multiple strains of CoVs. And methods for developing multi-target drugs are limited in terms of exploring drug targets with similar functions or structures. In this study, four rounds of structural design and modification on salinomycin were performed for novel antiviral compounds. It was based on the strategy of similar topological structure binding properties of protein targets (STSBPT), resulting in the high-efficient synthesis of the optimal compound M1, which could bind to aminopeptidase N and 3C-like protease from hosts and viruses, respectively, and exhibit a broad-spectrum antiviral effect against severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV 2 pseudovirus, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, transmissible gastroenteritis virus, feline infectious peritonitis virus and mouse hepatitis virus. Furthermore, the drug-binding domains of these proteins were found to be structurally similar based on the STSBPT strategy. The compounds screened and designed based on this region were expected to have broad-spectrum and strong antiviral activities. The STSBPT strategy is expected to be a fundamental tool in accelerating the discovery of multiple targets with similar effects and drugs.

Novel therapeutic approaches for the management of hepatitis infections.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) & hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a substantial reason for morbidity and mortality around the world. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is connected with an enhanced risk of liver cirrhosis, liver decompensationand hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Conventional therapy do face certain challenges, for example, poor tolerability and the growth of active resistance. Thus, novel treatment procedures are essential to accomplish the initiation of strong and stable antiviral immune reactions of the individuals. This review explores the current nanotechnology-based carriers for drug and vaccine delivery to treat HBV and HCV.

New threats in the recovery of large carnivores inhabiting human-modified landscapes: the case of the Cantabrian brown bear (Ursus arctos)

Understanding mortality causes is important for the conservation of endangered species, especially in small and isolated populations inhabiting anthropized landscapes where both natural and human-caused mortality may hinder the conservation of these species. We investigated the mortality causes of 53 free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) found dead between 1998 and 2023 in the Cantabrian Mountains (northwestern Spain), a highly human-modified region where bears are currently recovering after being critically threatened in the last century. We detected natural traumatic injuries in 52.63% and infectious diseases in 39.47% of the 38 bears for which the mortality causes were registered, with 21.05% of these cases presenting signs of both infectious diseases and traumas. More specifically, almost 30% of the bears died during or after intraspecific fights, including sexually selected infanticide (10.53%). In addition, primary infectious diseases such as infectious canine hepatitis, distemper, clostridiosis and colibacillosis caused the death of 15.79% of the bears. The number of direct human-caused deaths (i.e., shooting, poisoning, snare) decreased over the study period. This study also reveals three new mortality causes triggered by pathogens, two of which—Clostridium novyi and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli—not previously described in ursids, and the other one, canine distemper virus, never reported in brown bears as cause of death. New management strategies for the conservation of Cantabrian bears, which are urgently needed due to the rapid expansion of the population, should consider the mortality causes described in this study and must promote further research to elucidate how the high prevalence of infectious diseases may threaten the current recovery of the population.

Inactivated TZ84 strain hepatitis A vaccine and its impact: A narrative review

Hepatitis A (HepA) represents a significant global public health challenge. At present, there is no definitive treatment available for managing HepA. Before the availability of HepA vaccines, hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection had emerged as a leading cause of fulminant hepatic failure and a significant indication for liver transplantation in children living in Argentina, Brazil, the Republic of Korea, and India. Inactivated HAV vaccines have demonstrated a high level of immunogenicity. In addition, there is evidence supporting the use of inactivated HepA vaccines in immunocompromised individuals and as post-exposure prophylaxis. Recently, the inactivated TZ84 strain hepatitis A vaccine, which has shown superior immunogenicity for up to 30 years and fewer adverse reactions when compared with other inactivated HepA vaccines, has become available in India. Moreover, the TZ84 strain of the inactivated HAV vaccine has the potential to control community-wide outbreaks. This narrative review offers an overview of the existing evidence concerning immunization against HepA in India, with a particular emphasis on the TZ84 strain of the inactivated HAV vaccine.

Biomarkers of transfusion transmitted occult hepatitis Bvirus infection: Where are we and what next?

Blood transfusion is a vital procedure, where transfusion-transmitted infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains an important issue, especially from blood donors with occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI). Occult hepatitis B virus infection is a complex entity to detect using surrogate blood biomarkers for intrahepatic viral transcriptional activity, requiring a continually refined battery of tests utilised for screening. This review aims to critically evaluate the latest advances in the current blood biomarkers to guide the identification of OBI donors and discuss novel HBV markers that could be introduced in future diagnostic practice. Challenges in detecting low HBV surface antigen levels, mutants, and complexes necessitate ultrasensitive multivalent dissociation assays, whilst HBV DNA testing requires improved sensitivity but worsens inaccessibility. Anti-core antibody assays defer almost all potentially infectious donations but have low specificity, and titres of anti-surface antibodies that prevent infectivity are poorly defined with suboptimal sensitivity. The challenges associated with these traditional blood HBV markers create an urgent need for alternative biomarkers that would help us better understand the OBI. Emerging viral biomarkers, such as pre-genomic RNA and HBV core-related antigen, immunological HBV biomarkers of T-cell reactivity and cytokine levels, and host biomarkers of microRNA and human leucocyte antigen molecules, present potential advances to gauge intrahepatic activity more accurately. Further studies on these markers may uncover an optimal diagnostic algorithm for OBI using quantification of various novel and traditional blood HBV markers. Addressing critical knowledge gaps identified in this review would decrease the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted HBV infection without compromising the sustainability of blood supplies.

The oncogenic role of hepatitis B virus X gene in hepatocarcinogenesis: recent updates.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent form of primary liver cancers with high mortality rate. Among its various etiological factors, one of the major risk factors for HCC is a chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV X protein (HBx) has been identified to play an important role in the HBV-induced HCC pathogenesis since it may interfere with several key regulators of many cellular processes. HBx localization within the cells may be beneficial to HBx multiple functions at different phases of HBV infection and associated hepatocarcinogenesis. HBx as a regulatory protein modulates cellular transcription, molecular signal transduction, cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, protein degradation pathways, and host genetic stability via interaction with various factors, including its association with various non-coding RNAs. A better understanding on the regulatory mechanism of HBx on various characteristics of HCC would provide an overall picture of HBV-associated HCC. This article addresses recent data on HBx role in the HBV-associated hepatocarcinogenesis.

Wastewater surveillance of enteric viruses in eastern Argentina: High rates of detection and first report of NoV GI.5 and GII.20

Individuals infected with enteric viruses excrete them in their feces for an extended period, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. This characteristic, combined with the capability of these viruses to persist in the environment, forms the core of our research. The objective of our study was to investigate the presence of viruses associated with diarrhea and hepatitis: Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Hepatitis E virus (HEV), Norovirus GI (NoV GI), Norovirus GII (NoV GII), and Rotavirus (RV) by RT-real time PCR, in untreated wastewater samples (n=100) collected in the period July 2020 to August 2021 from two low-income neighborhoods in the district of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Globally, the percentage of positive samples was 25 % for HEV, 27 % for RV, 14 % for NoV GII, 1 % for NoV GI, and no detectable samples were found for HAV. HEV, RV, and NoV GII were detected in most of the studied months, with the highest detection rates of RV and NoV GII during the winter season. Regarding RV positive samples, the gene encoding the VP8* protein of three samples was sequenced and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected strains belonged to genotypes P[8] and P[3]. Additionally, four NoV strains were also genetically characterized by amplifying a fragment corresponding to the ORF-1/ORF-2 junction region. The identified strains were NoV GI.5, NoV GII.4, NoV GII.17 and NoV GII.20. Our results provide relevant information and serve as scientific evidence of the importance of considering wastewater analysis as a feasible strategy to determine the circulation of enteric viruses in the population, with the further benefit of predicting emerging strains. Moreover, this study represents the first report of the circulation of NoV GII.20 and GI.5 genotypes in our country.