[Detecting poliovirus in wastewater from Armenia, Colombia]
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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
EPA Method 1615. Measurement of Enterovirus and Norovirus Occurrence in Water by Culture and RT-qPCR. II. Total Culturable Virus Assay
Published on: September 11, 2016
Maria M González1, Luis Sarmiento, Jhon Carlos Castaño
1Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Quindío. mechotas2004@yahoo.com
Objectives:
Implementing environmental surveillance for poliovirus circulating from wastewater.
Methods:
Six wastewater samples were collected from each final site within a wastewater collection system in Armenia, Quindío. Virus was extracted and concentrated by a method using polyethylenglycol and sodium chloride as concentrating agent. Polioviruses were identified by polymerase chain reaction assay with group-specific, serotype-specific and Sabin vaccine-specific primers.
Results:
It was confirmed that the viral detection method is highly efficient. Poliovirus was detected in 5 of 6 (83%) samples collected. Serotype-specific identification revealed the presence of type 1 and type 3 polioviruses in the samples. All of them were of the vaccine type, which provided evidence regarding the non-circulation of wild poliovirus in the country.
Conclusion:
Wastewater surveillance can be a sensitive tool for detecting poliovirus circulation.
