Environmental Assessment of Classical Human Astrovirus in Uruguay

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the molecular epidemiology of classical human astrovirus (HAstV) strains in sewage samples from four Uruguayan cities: Bella Unión, Salto, Paysandú, and Fray Bentos, located in the Northwestern region of the country. Overall, 96 sewage samples were collected biweekly between March 2011 and February 2012 and were subject to ultracentrifugation methodology in order to concentrate the viruses. RT-PCR directed to the ORF2 genome region was performed followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Forty-three (45 %) out of 96 analyzed samples were positive for HAstV (Mamastrovirus 1) and 31 of them were successfully sequenced being 21 (49 %) of them classified as HAstV-1 genotype (1a lineage) and 10 (23 %) as HAstV-2 genotype (eight strains belonging to the 2d lineage and two strains to the 2c lineage). The 1a lineage circulated throughout the year, while the 2d lineage only in the coldest months (June to October). Strikingly, the 2c lineage was detected only in Salto city during March 2011. In this city it was observed the highest frequency of HAstV and the greatest genetic diversity, probably due to its role as high touristic spot with an important influx of visitants from others regions of Uruguay and also from other countries. This study constitutes the first report in Uruguay that describes the phylogenetic diversity and genotype distribution of HAstV strains circulating in the Northwestern region evidencing a high frequency and also the presence of several different lineages.

Deciphering the Diversities of Astroviruses and Noroviruses in Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents by a High-Throughput Sequencing Method

“…The predominant HAstV genotype from WWTP effluents was clearly HAstV-1, which was in agreement with the findings of many epidemiological studies (38)(39)(40). Previous studies also detected HAstV-2 and/or HAstV-5 in environmental water samples (38,41); however, to our knowledge, this is the first time that HAstV-6 has been detected in WWTP effluents. In opposition, the predominant genotype from stool samples collected was HAstV-5, following by HAstV-2.…”

Environmental assessment reveals the presence of MLB-1 human astrovirus in Uruguay

“…In this study, the recently identified MLB-1 HAstV was detected and characterized for the first time in sewage in a Latin American country. At the same time, the presence in Uruguay of classical HAstV genotypes in the environment was confirmed as previously reported (Lizasoain et al 2015).…”

“…At the same time, the presence in Uruguay of classical HAstV genotypes in the environment was confirmed as previously reported (Lizasoain et al . ).…”

“…; Lizasoain et al . ). The aim of this study was to expand the investigation of HAstV in the environment through the monitoring of the recently identified and the classical HAstV genotypes in sewage collected in two cities of the Eastern region in Uruguay.…”

“…A previous environmental surveillance performed in the Western region of Uruguay revealed a high detection rate and concentration of classical HAstV in the sewage directly discharged into the Uruguay River as well as the circulation of the HAstV-1 and HAstV-2 genotypes in sewage (Victoria et al 2014;Lizasoain et al 2015). The aim of this study was to expand the investigation of HAstV in the environment through the monitoring of the recently identified and the classical HAstV genotypes in sewage collected in two cities of the Eastern region in Uruguay.…”