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Development of a quantitative method for detecting enteroviruses in estuarine sediments
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|August 1, 1977
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to efficiently detect enteric viruses in marine sediments. This technique improves the quantification of viruses in sediment compared to estuarine water.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Virology
- Marine Microbiology
- Water Quality Assessment
Background:
- Enteric viruses are frequently detected in marine sediments.
- Previous methods lacked efficiency quantification and sampled limited sediment volumes.
- Accurate quantification is needed to compare sediment-bound viruses with those in estuarine water.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a quantitative method for detecting enteroviruses in marine sediments.
- To improve the accuracy of determining the proportion of viruses in sediment versus estuarine water.
Main Methods:
- Poliovirus adsorption to natural marine sediments was studied.
- Various substances were evaluated for their ability to elute adsorbed viruses.
- Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) was identified as an effective eluent for large sediment volumes.
Main Results:
- Poliovirus readily adsorbed to Texas Gulf coast marine sediments.
- A solution of 10% fetal calf serum (pH 10.5) and 0.05M EDTA (pH 11.0) were the most effective eluents.
- EDTA allowed elution from large volumes and reconcentration to 30-50 ml.
- Overall poliovirus recovery efficiency from sediment was 50%.
Conclusions:
- A quantitative method for enterovirus detection in marine sediments was successfully developed.
- The method utilizes EDTA for efficient elution and reconcentration.
- This technique is suitable for recovering naturally occurring animal viruses from estuarine sediments.