Comparison of methods for recovering indigenous viruses from raw wastewater sludge

Five general methods for recovering indigenous viruses from raw wastewater sludge were compared. Each method included elution, concentration, and disinfection steps. The elution method, found to consistently yield the greatest viral recovery, was a two-phase technique that involved blending sludge with Freon. Other methods, including two being tested as American Society for Testing Materials tentative standard methods, were less effective. Viral recoveries were generally greater (sometimes much greater) if samples were concentrated by high-speed centrifugation rather than by organic flocculation with 3% beef extract. Three cell lines were used to measure viral recoveries by the plaque assay. The efficiency of recovery was greatest on BGM cells, followed by RD and MA-104 cells.