AWWA WQTC56975

A quantitative method to detect infectious enteroviruses in water by integrated cell culture-PCR (ICC-PCR) was evaluated. Of 9 water samples, 7 were positive for enteroviruses using ICC-PCR. The concentrations of enteroviruses were calculated by the Most Probable Number (MPN) method and ranged from 33 to 189 MPN/100 L. ICC-PCR-MPN is a very sensitive and rapid method to quantify infectious enteroviruses in water. Male-specific coliphages (F+) were detected in water samples using single agar layer (SAL) and direct membrane filtration (DMF). Double agar layer (DAL) method was used to detect F+ coliphages in concentrated water samples. All samples were positive for male-specific coliphages, ranged from 3 to 180 pfu/100 mL. Correlation (r = 0.61) existed between the presence of enteroviruses and male-specific coliphages in concentrated water samples. A total of 61 male-specific coliphage isolates were serotyped to determine their serogroups. The results indicated that 74% were RNA phages with the majority being groups I and II. However, group III male-specific coliphages were detected in all sites, indicating human sources were likely to be contributing some of the fecal contamination. Includes 12 references, tables.