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[Coliphages, viral indicators of contamination]
Annali Di Igiene : Medicina Preventiva E Di Comunita
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Coliphages, viruses infecting E. coli, are valuable viral contamination indicators in water. They are more concentrated than enteroviruses and more resistant to disinfection than bacterial indicators, aiding water resource management.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Water Quality Assessment
- Virology
Background:
- Viral contamination in water poses public health risks.
- Traditional bacterial indicators may not always reflect viral presence accurately.
- Coliphages offer a potential alternative or complementary indicator for viral contamination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of coliphages as indicators of viral contamination in various water types.
- To compare coliphage concentrations and resistance to disinfection with other indicators.
- To explore the utility of coliphages for monitoring bathing water quality.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of surface water (sea and river), mud, and sludge samples.
- Quantification of coliphages using the Most Probable Number (MPN) method.
- Comparison of coliphage levels with enterovirus and bacterial indicators.
- Assessment of coliphage resistance to disinfection processes.
Main Results:
- Coliphages were found in higher concentrations than enteroviruses in sludge and surface waters.
- Coliphages demonstrated greater resistance to disinfection compared to bacterial indicators.
- A correlation between coliphages and fecal coli was established for bathing water quality assessment.
- A guideline of 10 coliphages/L was proposed for bathing water.
Conclusions:
- Coliphages are reliable indicators of viral contamination in water.
- They provide valuable supplementary information beyond traditional bacterial indicators.
- Coliphage monitoring can enhance water resource management and ensure public health safety, especially in scenarios with declining bacterial counts.