Preliminary Source Tracking of Male-Specific (F<Superscript>+</Superscript>) RNA Coliphage on Lettuce as a Surrogate of Enteric Viruses Using Reverse Transcription-PCR

The aim of this research was to preliminary track fecal source male-specific F⁺RNA coliphages including human and animals in lettuce. At first, two published virus extraction procedures of ultracentrifugation and PEG precipitation were compared using DAL assay for determining the recovery efficiency in lettuce spiked artificially with three concentrations (10², 10⁴, 10⁶ pfu/100 ml) of MS2 coliphage. The results showed that PEG precipitation had the highest recovery in which the recovery efficiency at the spiked level of 10⁶ pfu/100 ml was 16.63 %. Aqueous phase obtained from the final step of PEG method was applied for enumeration of coliphage and viral RNA extraction in naturally contaminated lettuce samples (N = 30) collected from two sources (market and farm). The samples were then analyzed based on (I, II, III, and IV primer sets) using RT-PCR method. Coliphages were detected in 9 (60 %) and 12 (80 %) out of 15 market and farm samples, respectively, using DAL assay, whereas male-specific F⁺RNA coliphages were detected using the RT-PCR method in 9 (60 %) and 13 (86.6 %) out of 15 samples of market and farm, respectively. Based on the results, only genotype I of male-specific F⁺RNA coliphages was detected in lettuce samples and no sample tested was positive for other genotypes (II, III, and IV).     

Evaluating Efficacy of Field-Generated Electrochemical Oxidants on Disinfection of Fomites Using Bacteriophage MS2 and Mouse Norovirus MNV-1 as Pathogenic Virus Surrogates

Surface disinfection, as part of environmental hygiene practices, is an efficient barrier to gastroenteritis transmission. However, surface disinfectants may be difficult to obtain in remote, resource-limited, or disaster relief settings. Electrochemical oxidants (ECO) are chlorine-based disinfectants that can be generated using battery power to electrolyze brine (NaCl) solutions. Electrolysis generates a mixed-oxidant solution that contains both chlorine (HOCl, OCl^?) and reactive oxygen species (e.g., ·OH, O₃, H₂O₂, and ·O_2?) capable of inactivating pathogens. One onsite generator of ECO is the Smart Electrochlorinator 200 (SE-200, Cascade Designs, Inc.). In a laboratory study, we assessed ECO surface disinfection efficacy for two gastrointestinal virus surrogates: bacteriophage MS2 and murine norovirus MNV-1. We quantified both infectivity and nucleic acid inactivation using culture-dependent and independent assays. At free available chlorine concentrations of 2,500 ppm and a contact time of 30 s, ECO inactivation of infective MS2 bacteriophage exceeded 7 log₁₀ compared to MNV-1 disinfection of approximately 2 log₁₀. Genomic RNA inactivation was less than infective virus inactivation: MS2 RNA inactivation was approximately 5 log₁₀ compared to MNV-1 RNA inactivation of approximately 1.5 log₁₀. The results are similar to inactivation efficacy of household bleach when used at similar free available chlorine concentrations. Our work demonstrates the potential of ECO solutions, generated onsite, to be used for surface disinfection.     

Aggregation of Adenovirus 2 in Source Water and Impacts on Disinfection by Chlorine

It is generally accepted that viral particles in source water are likely to be found as aggregates attached to other particles. For this reason, it is important to investigate the disinfection efficacy of chlorine on aggregated viruses. A method to produce adenovirus particle aggregation was developed for this study. Negative stain electron microscopy was used to measure aggregation before and after addition of virus particles to surface water at different pH and specific conductance levels. The impact of aggregation on the efficacy of chlorine disinfection was also examined. Disinfection experiments with human adenovirus 2 (HAdV2) in source water were conducted using 0.2 mg/L free chlorine at 5 °C. Aggregation of HAdV2 in source water (≥3 aggregated particles) remained higher at higher specific conductance and pH levels. However, aggregation was highly variable, with the percentage of particles present in aggregates ranging from 43 to 71 %. Upon addition into source water, the aggregation percentage dropped dramatically. On average, chlorination CT values (chlorine concentration in mg/L × time in min) for 3-log₁₀ inactivation of aggregated HAdV2 were up to three times higher than those for dispersed HAdV2, indicating that aggregation reduced the disinfection rate. This information can be used by water utilities and regulators to guide decision making regarding disinfection of viruses in water.     

Somatic Coliphage Profiles of Produce and Environmental Samples from Farms in Northern México

Somatic coliphages were quantified in 459 produce and environmental samples from 11 farms in Northern Mexico to compare amounts of somatic coliphages among different types of fresh produce and environmental samples across the production steps on farms. Rinsates from cantaloupe melons, jalapeño peppers, tomatoes, and the hands of workers, soil, and water were collected during 2011–2012 at four successive steps on each farm, from the field before harvest through the packing facility, and assayed by FastPhage MPN Quanti-tray method. Cantaloupe farm samples contained more coliphages than jalapeño or tomato (p range <0.01–0.03). Across production steps, jalapeños had higher coliphage percentages before harvest than during packing (p = 0.03), while tomatoes had higher coliphage concentrations at packing than all preceding production steps (p range <0.01–0.02). These findings support the use of targeted produce-specific interventions at multiple points in the process of growing and packing produce to reduce the risk of enteric virus contamination and improve food safety during fruit and vegetable production.     

Development and Evaluation of a Multiplexed Real-Time TaqMan RT-PCR Assay with a Sample Process Control for Detection of F-specific RNA Coliphage Genogroups I and IV

There are increasing concerns of zoonotic transmission of some animal enteric viruses, such as calicivirus, hepatitis E virus, and rotavirus, which are closely related to human pathogenic strains. Most enteric viruses are detected by molecular techniques because they cannot be cultured. Surrogates such as F-RNA coliphages are cultivable but few molecular methods exist. Individual real-time TaqMan RT-PCR assays for the replicase gene of F-RNA coliphage genogroups I and IV were developed and multiplexed with a real-time TaqMan RT-PCR assay for feline calicivirus as a sample process control for the simultaneous detection and enumeration of genogroup I and IV F-RNA coliphages. Genogroup IV were successfully detected with the multiplexed assay in 80% of fecal samples that contained F-RNA coliphage levels ≥3.2 log plaque forming units (pfu). F-RNA coliphage were at or below the limit of detection in most fecal samples when levels were ≤4 log pfu/g.     

Minimizing Bias in Virally Seeded Water Treatment Studies: Evaluation of Optimal Bacteriophage and Mammalian Virus Preparation Methodologies

One key assumption impacting data quality in viral inactivation studies is that reduction estimates are not altered by the virus seeding process. However, seeding viruses often involves the inadvertent addition of co-constituents such as cell culture components or additives used during preparation steps which can impact viral reduction estimates by inducing non-representative oxidant demand in disinfection studies and fouling in membrane assessments. The objective of this study was therefore to characterize a mammalian norovirus surrogate, murine norovirus (MNV), and bacteriophage MS2 at sequential stages of viral purification and to quantify their potential contribution to artificial oxidant demand and non-representative membrane fouling. Our results demonstrate that seeding solvent extracted and 0.1 micron filtered MNV to ~10⁵ PFU/mL in an experimental water matrix will result in additional total organic carbon (TOC) and 30 min chlorine demand of 39.2 mg/L and 53.5 mg/L as Cl₂, respectively. Performing sucrose cushion purification on the MNV stock prior to seeding reduces the impacts of TOC and chlorine demand to 1.6 and 0.15 mg/L as Cl₂, respectively. The findings for MNV are likely relevant for other mammalian viruses propagated in serum-based media. Thus, advanced purification of mammalian virus stocks by sucrose cushion purification (or equivalent density-based separation approach) is warranted prior to seeding in water treatment assessments. Studies employing bacteriophage MS2 as a surrogate virus may not need virus purification, since seeding MS2 at a concentration of ~10⁶ PFU/mL will introduce only ~1 mg/L of TOC and ~1 mg/L as Cl₂ of chlorine demand to experimental water matrices.     

二氧化氯对不同微生物的灭活特性及其对群落结构特征的影响

二氧化氯是一种性能优良、应用广泛的消毒剂,可通过破坏细胞或病毒的组成结构、阻碍细胞代谢等方式实现微生物灭活。在自配水条件下,以二氧化氯投加量×消毒时间计算,二氧化氯剂量在15（mg·min）/L时,可实现对常见病毒（包括肠病毒71型、大肠杆菌噬菌体MS2等）3 log以上灭活率,在60（mg·min）/L时,可实现对常见细菌（包括大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌等）1.5 log以上灭活率,但灭活隐孢子虫卵则需要更高的剂量（如1.9 log灭活率可能需约600（mg·min）/L剂量）;在实际污水厂进水中,30（mg·min）/L二氧化氯剂量只能分别实现0.8 log和0.5 log的大肠杆菌和总大肠菌群灭活率。二氧化氯消毒效果随温度升高显著提升,对于不同微生物,pH的变化对二氧化氯消毒效果的影响可能存在不同,而水中的有机物通常会因消耗二氧化氯而降低消毒效果,但在自然水体中也存在由于天然有机物可能的影响导致消毒效果优于自配水的情况。关于二氧化氯消毒后细菌群落结构的变化研究不多,仅有少量研究涉及市政污水、再生水、饮用水等。二氧化氯消毒一定时间后,悬浮态和生物膜上的微生物均可能出现再生长现象,但再生长过程中这些残生细菌的群落结构变化及其生长分泌特性仍有待研究。     

Effects of UV intensity and water turbidity on microbial indicator inactivation

The effects of UV intensity and turbidity on selected microbial indicator inactivation were investigated. Results showed that UV disinfection was effective in killing all the selected microbial indicators, the resistance order of the microorganisms was as follows： MS-2 coliphage 〉 Bacillus subtilis 〉 E. coil 〉 Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. UV intensity had influence on the inactivation of all the microorganisms, high UV disinfection efficency was obtained with higher UV intensity. Turbidity had impact on the bacteria inactivation rate, but there was no evidence that turbidity had any negative contribution to MS-2 coliphage. Under the same UV dosage, higher UV intensity could overcome the negative influence of turbidity on UV performance, enhanced microorganism inactivation effect in turbidity water.     

Occurrence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pepper Mild Mottle Virus</Emphasis> (PMMoV) in Groundwater from a Karst Aquifer System in the Yucatan Peninsula,Mexico

The Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico hosts a karst aquifer system that is the only source of freshwater for the area; however, it is vulnerable to human-mediated contamination. Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) is one of the most abundant RNA viruses associated with human feces, making it a viable indicator for tracking fecal pollution in aquatic environments, including groundwater. In this study, groundwater samples collected from a karst aquifer from fresh and brackish water locations were analyzed for fecal indicator bacteria, somatic and male F+ specific coliphages, and PMMoV during the rainy and dry seasons. Total coliform bacteria were detected at all sites, whereas Escherichia coli were found at relatively low levels <40 MPN/100 ml. The highest average concentrations of somatic and male F+ specific coliphages were 920 and 330 plaque forming units per 100 ml, respectively, detected in freshwater during the rainy season. PMMoV RNA was detected in 85% of the samples with gene sequences sharing 99–100% of nucleotide identity with PMMoV sequences available in GenBank. Quantification of PMMoV genome copies (GC) by quantitative real-time PCR indicated concentrations ranging from 1.7 × 10¹ to 1.0 × 10⁴ GC/L, with the highest number of GC detected during the rainy season. No significant correlation was observed between PMMoV occurrence by season or water type (p > 0.05). Physicochemical and indicator bacteria were not correlated with PMMoV concentrations. The abundance and prevalence of PMMoV in the karst aquifer may reflect its environmental persistence and its potential as a fecal indicator in this karst aquifer system.     

Inactivation of Viruses and Bacteriophages as Models for Swine Hepatitis E Virus in Food Matrices

Hepatitis E virus has been recognised as a food-borne virus hazard in pork products, due to its zoonotic properties. This risk can be reduced by adequate treatment of the food to inactivate food-borne viruses. We used a spectrum of viruses and bacteriophages to evaluate the effect of three food treatments: high pressure processing (HPP), lactic acid (LA) and intense light pulse (ILP) treatments. On swine liver at 400 MPa for 10 min, HPP gave log₁₀ reductions of ≥4.2, ≥5.0 and 3.4 for feline calicivirus (FCV) 2280, FCV wildtype (wt) and murine norovirus 1 (MNV 1), respectively. Escherichia coli coliphage ?X174 displayed a lower reduction of 1.1, while Escherichia coli coliphage MS2 was unaffected. For ham at 600 MPa, the corresponding reductions were 4.1, 4.4, 2.9, 1.7 and 1.3 log₁₀. LA treatment at 2.2 M gave log₁₀ reductions in the viral spectrum of 0.29–2.1 for swine liver and 0.87–3.1 for ham, with ?X174 and MNV 1, respectively, as the most stable microorganisms. The ILP treatment gave log₁₀ reductions of 1.6–2.8 for swine liver, 0.97–2.2 for ham and 1.3–2.3 for sausage, at 15–60 J cm^?2, with MS2 as the most stable microorganism. The HPP treatment gave significantly (p < 0.05) greater virus reduction on swine liver than ham for the viruses at equivalent pressure/time combinations. For ILP treatment, reductions on swine liver were significantly (p < 0.05) greater than on ham for all microorganisms. The results presented here could be used in assessments of different strategies to protect consumers against virus contamination and in advice to food producers. Conservative model indicators for the pathogenic viruses could be suggested.     

顺序氯化消毒工艺的研究

研究了短时游离氯后转氯胺的顺序消毒工艺.结果表明,该消毒工艺对指示微生物的灭活效果优于游离氯消毒,游离氯和氯胺存在协同消毒作用;对脊髓灰质炎病毒和大肠杆菌f₂噬菌体的灭活效果与游离氯相同.相同原水条件下,顺序氯化消毒工艺产生的三卤甲烷浓度比游离氯消毒工艺减少35.8%～77.0%;卤乙酸减少36.6%～54.8%.消毒进水水质越差,顺序氯化消毒工艺在消毒副产物(DBP)控制方面就越具优势.     

Persistence of MS-2 Bacteriophage Within Eastern Oysters

Male-specific bacteriophages have been proposed as human enteric virus indicators for shellfish. In this study, Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were individually exposed to 5.6 × 10¹⁰ PFU of MS-2 for 48 h at 15 °C followed by collective maintenance in continuously UV-sterilized seawater for 0–6 weeks at either 7, 15, or 24 °C. Initial contamination levels of MS-2 were >6 log PFU. Assessment of weekly declines of viable MS-2 indicated that cooler temperatures dramatically enhanced the persistence of MS-2 within oyster tissues. At 3 weeks, the average log PFU reductions for MS-2 within oysters were 2.28, 2.90, and 4.57 for oysters held at 7, 15, and 24 °C, respectively. Fitting temporal survival data with linear and nonlinear Weibull models indicated that the Weibull model best fit the observed reductions. In total, these data can serve as a guideline for regulatory agencies regarding the influence of water temperature on indicator phage after episodic sewage exposure.     

污水氯、二氧化氯消毒处理中水质及毒性变化的比较

分别从水质和毒性2方面比较了氯、二氧化氯消毒对污水的影响.结果表明:在水质特性方面,氯消毒对污水色度影响不大,而二氧化氯消毒明显降低了污水的色度;氯、二氧化氯消毒前后污水的DOC基本没有变化;氯消毒后污水的UV₂₃₀明显增加,二氧化氯消毒后污水的UV₂₃₀略有降低,当二者投加量均为30mg/L时,氯消毒使污水的UV₂₃₀增加约0.7cm^-1,二氧化氯消毒使污水的UV₂₃₀降低约0.05cm^-1.在毒性生成方面,氯、二氧化氯消毒产生的急性毒性均随消毒剂投加量的增加而增大,氯消毒产生的急性毒性明显高于二氧化氯消毒;氯消毒在一定程度上增大了污水的遗传毒性,而二氧化氯消毒在一定程度上降低了污水的遗传毒性.     

Impact of an Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Intervention on the Spread of Viruses in Homes

The objectives of this study were to determine the movement of a virus throughout a household and the impact of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) on reducing the movement and exposure of the virus to household members. Bacterial virus MS-2 was used as the surrogate for human enteric and respiratory viruses. Seven households with families having at least two children in the age range of 2–18 living in the home were used in this study. The hands of one adult family member were contaminated with 1 × 10⁸. MS-2 bacteriophage in each home. After 8 h, the hands of each family member (10 fingers) and 20 frequently touched fomites were sampled to determine baseline contamination without intervention. Within 8 h, MS-2 was detected on all of the family member’s hands and most of the fomites. The intervention consisted of providing the families in all selected homes with bottles of an ABHS, which were placed in the kitchen, bathrooms, and nurseries. Smaller individual bottles were provided for each family member greater than 12 years old to place in purses, pockets, backpacks, etc. The families were instructed to use the ABHS one time or three times during the day. For one and three uses, a statistically significant reduction of virus on un-inoculated and inoculated hands of ~99 % occurred within 8 h. Similar reductions occurred on fomites throughout the households (97–99 %). These results demonstrate that the use of an ABHS can significantly reduce transfer of a virus to the hands, and to the commonly touched surfaces within the household.     

基于PMA-定量PCR选择性检测技术的病原菌消毒特性研究

建立了一种核酸染料propidium monoazide(PMA)与定量PCR技术联合选择性检测活性病原菌的技术(PMA-qPCR),以大肠杆菌作为模式菌,研究了氯和一氯胺消毒对病原菌的灭活特性.结果表明,PMA染料能够分别去除99.94%和99.99%的来自非活性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌的DNA,PMA-qPCR技术能够有效区分活性菌与非活性菌;PMA-qPCR技术得到的氯和一氯胺消毒对大肠杆菌的灭活曲线符合一级动力学方程,灭活速率常数分别为 2.24 L·(mg·min)^-1和0.0175 L·(mg·min)^-1,低于平板培养法得到的灭活速率常数;当大肠杆菌的去除率达到99%时,采用PMA-qPCR技术检测需要的ct值相比于平板培养法从0.6 mg·L^-1·min上升到0.9 mg·L^-1·min(氯消毒)和从20 mg·L^-1·min上升到超过100 mg·L^-1·min(一氯胺消毒);随着ct值的升高,常规qPCR的检测结果基本不变,因此常规qPCR不能够反映氯和一氯胺消毒对病原菌的灭活效果.作为一种新的表征消毒特性的检测技术,PMA-qPCR技术有助于更为准确地评价氯和一氯胺消毒对病原菌的灭活效果.     

顺序氯化对微生物、副产物和生物稳定性的综合控制

在中试规模试验中,研究了“短时游离氯后转氯胺的顺序氯化消毒工艺”对微生物、消毒副产物和生物稳定性指标的控制效果.该顺序氯化消毒工艺综合利用了游离氯消毒灭活微生物迅速彻底,氯胺消毒副产物生产量低的特点,通过氯化消毒技术的组合,安全经济地实现了消毒卫生学和消毒副产物指标的双重控制.该消毒工艺对细菌总数、异养菌平板计数、总大肠菌群指标的控制效果略好于传统游离氯消毒,对脊髓灰质炎病毒和大肠杆菌f2噬菌体的灭活效果与游离氯相同.相同原水条件下,顺序氯化消毒工艺比游离氯消毒工艺产生的三卤甲烷浓度减少35.8%～77.0%;卤乙酸减少36.6%～54.8%.消毒进水水质越差,顺序氯化消毒工艺在消毒副产物控制方面就越有优势.该工艺对生物稳定性指标的控制效果明显高于游离氯消毒.     

Inactivation, reactivation and regrowth of indigenous bacteria in reclaimed water after chlorine disinfection of a municipal wastewater treatment plant

Disinfection of reclaimed water prior to reuse is important to prevent the transmission of pathogens. Chlorine is a widely utilized disinfectant and as such is a leading contender for disinfection of reclaimed water. To understand the risks of chlorination resulting from the potential selection of pathogenic bacteria, the inactivation, reactivation and regrowth rates of indigenous bacteria were investigated in reclaimed water after chlorine disinfection. Inactivation of total coliforms, Enterococcus and Salmonella showed linear correlations, with constants of 0.1384, 0.1624 and 0.057 L/(mg·min) and R² of 0.7617, 0.8316 and 0.845, respectively. However, inactivation of total viable cells by measurement of metabolic activity typically showed a linear correlation at lower chlorine dose (0-22 (mg·min)/L), and a trailing region with chlorine dose increasing from 22 to 69 (mg·min)/L. Reactivation and regrowth of bacteria were most likely to occur after exposure to lower chlorine doses, and extents of reactivation decreased gradually with increasing chlorine dose. In contrast to total coliforms and Enterococcus, Salmonella had a high level of regrowth and reactivation, and still had 2% regrowth even after chlorination of 69 (mg·min)/L and 24 hr storage. The bacterial compositions were also significantly altered by chlorination and storage of reclaimed water, and the ratio of Salmonella was significantly increased from 0.001% to 0.045% after chlorination of 69 (mg·min)/L and 24 hr storage. These trends indicated that chlorination contributes to the selection of chlorine-resistant pathogenic bacteria, and regrowth of pathogenic bacteria after chlorination in reclaimed water with a long retention time could threaten public health security during wastewater reuse.     

Evaluation of the infectivity, gene and antigenicity persistence of rotaviruses by free chlorine disinfection

The effects of free chlorine disinfection of tap water and wastewater effluents on the infectivity, gene integrity and surface antigens of rotaviruses were evaluated by a bench-scale chlorine disinfection experiments. Plaque assays, integrated cell culture-quantitative RT-PCR (ICC-RT-qPCR), RT-qPCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), respectively, were used to assess the influence of the disinfectant on virus infectivity as well as genetic and antigenic integrity of simian rotavirus SA11 as a surrogate for human rotaviruses. The ICC-RT-qPCR was able to detect rotaviruses survival from chlorine disinfection at chlorine dose up to 20 mg/L (60 min contact), which suggested a required chlorine dose of 5 folds (from 1 to 5 mg/L) higher than that indicated by the plaque assay to achieve 1.8 log₁₀ reductions in tap water with 60 min exposing. The VP7 gene was more resistant than the infectivity and existed at chlorine dose up to 20 mg/L (60 min contact), while the antigencity was undetectable with chlorine dose more than 5 mg/L (60 min contact). The water quality also impacted the inactivation efficiencies, and rotaviruses have a relatively higher resistant in secondary effluents than in the tap water under the same chlorine disinfection treatments. This study indicated that rotaviruses have a higher infectivity, gene and antigencity resistance to chlorine than that previously indicated by plaque assay only, which seemed to underestimate the resistance of rotaviruses to chlorine and the risk of rotaviruses in environments. Present results also suggested that re-evaluation of resistance of other waterborne viruses after disinfections by more sensitive infectivity detection method (such as ICC-RT-qPCR) may be necessary, to determine the adequate disinfectant doses required for the inactivation of waterborne viruses.