The detection of small round-structured viruses in water and environmentalmaterials

A procedure for concentrating small round-structured viruses (SRSVs) (Norwa lk-like viruses) from water and other environmental materials is described. Primers based on the helicase region of the SRSV genome were confirmed as specific by reaction with typed specimens, and used to detect virus in conc entrates of unseeded and seeded samples. Virus was detected in estuarine re creational water polluted by untreated sewage, although not in seawater sam ples taken some distance from outfall discharges. It was also detected in r iver water downstream of a sewage treatment plant. Virus could be detected in all matrices when they were seeded with a positive stool extract, includ ing sewage seeded with as little as 2 mu l stool extract, thus confirming t he suitability of the method for environmental monitoring. (C) 2000 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.