A NEW AND SIMPLE METHOD FOR CONCENTRATION OF ENTERIC VIRUSES FROM WATER

A new type of electropositive filter media particle was tested to adso rb bacteriophage f(2) and enteric viruses from tap water. 3 x nutrient broth (pH 7.2) was used to elute the adsorbed viruses, and the eluate was reconcentrated by polyethylene glycol (M-w 6000) precipitation wi th a final concentration of 10% (wt./vol.). The adsorption of bacterio phage was reliable and efficient, and not affected by the pH value, te mperature. turbidity and organic materials in water. This method gave a recovery of Polio 1 virus 96.0% for small-volume tap water 88.7% for large-volume water; and gave a comparable recovery of HAV, Coxsackie B-3 and Echo 7 from tap water. The concentration method need not acidi fy virus-containing water, add exogenous multivalent cation salts, or require expensive equipment. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.