Detection and rapid differentiation of human enteroviruses in water sources by restriction enzyme analysis

The objective of this study was to assess the application and efficiency of molecular techniques for the detection and serotyping of enteroviruses fro m environmental water samples. Samples of water were collected at regular i ntervals upstream and downstream of an informal settlement. Techniques for the detection of enteroviruses included a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), nested PCR (n-PCR) and Sabin-specific triplex PCR. A specific 297 by fragment was amplified by the n-PCR and subjected to res triction enzyme (RE) analysis to differentiate between various serotypes of prototypical enteroviruses. Enteroviruses that gave inconclusive restricti on patterns were typed by partial sequencing of the VP1 region. Results ind icated a high incidence of enteroviruses, predominantly coxsackie B viruses . The results on polioviruses, as well as other enteroviruses, contributed valuable information on enteroviruses circulating in the community. The mol ecular approach described here proved suitable for the rapid, sensitive, sp ecific and cost effective, simultaneous detection and typing of enterovirus es in water.