Abstract
In face of the absence of epidemiological data regarding the circulation of human adenoviruses (HAdV) in Portugal, this study aimed at the evaluation of their molecular diversity in waste and environmental waters in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA). Using samples collected between 2018 and 2021, the HAdV hexon protein-coding sequence was partially amplified using three nested touch-down PCR protocols. The amplification products obtained were analyzed in parallel by two approaches: molecular cloning followed by Sanger sequencing and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) using Illumina® sequencing. The analysis of NGS-generated data allowed the identification of a higher diversity of HAdV-A (19%), -B (1%), -C (3%), -D (24%), and -F (25%) viral types, along with murine adenovirus (MAdV-2; 30%) in the wastewater treatment plant samples. On the other hand, HAdV-A (19%), -D (32%), and -F (36%) were identified in environmental samples, and possibly MAdV-2 (14%). These results demonstrate the presence of fecal contamination in environmental waters and the assessment of the diversity of this virus provides important information regarding the distribution of HAdV in LMA, including the detection of HAdV-F41, the most frequently reported in water worldwide.
Funder
AgriWWater Project
iNOVA4Health
Global Health and Tropical Medicine Center
Subject
Virology,Microbiology (medical),Microbiology
Reference71 articles.
1. Human Adenoviruses as Waterborne Index Pathogens and Their Use for Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment;Verani;Sci. Total Environ.,2019
2. Detection and Quantification of Classic and Emerging Viruses by Skimmed-Milk Flocculation and PCR in River Water from Two Geographical Areas;Calgua;Water Res.,2013
3. Enteric Viruses of Humans and Animals in Aquatic Environments: Health Risks, Detection, and Potential Water Quality Assessment Tools;Fong;Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev.,2005
4. Detection of Untreated Sewage Discharges to Watercourses Using Machine Learning;Hammond;Npj Clean Water,2021
5. Global, Regional, and Country Level Need for Data on Wastewater Generation, Treatment, and Use;Sato;Agric. Water Manag.,2013