Pathogenic Human Viruses in Coastal Waters

Abstract

This review addresses both historical and recent investigations into viral contamination of marine waters. With the relatively recent emergence of molecular biology-based assays, a number of investigations have shown that pathogenic viruses are prevalent in marine waters being impacted by sewage. Research has shown that this group of fecal-oral viral pathogens (enteroviruses, hepatitis A viruses, Norwalk viruses, reoviruses, adenoviruses, rotaviruses, etc.) can cause a broad range of asymptomatic to severe gastrointestinal, respiratory, and eye, nose, ear, and skin infections in people exposed through recreational use of the water. The viruses and the nucleic acid signature survive for an extended period in the marine environment. One of the primary concerns of public health officials is the relationship between the presence of pathogens and the recreational risk to human health in polluted marine environments. While a number of studies have attempted to address this issue, the relationship is still poorly understood. A contributing factor to our lack of progress in the field has been the lack of sensitive methods to detect the broad range of both bacterial and viral pathogens. The application of new and advanced molecular methods will continue to contribute to our current state of knowledge in this emerging and important field

Rapid Detection of Enteroviruses in Small Volumes of Natural Waters by Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcriptase PCR

“…There are no currently mandated tests for viral indicators in recreational and shellfish harvesting waters, in part because of the lack of suitable available assays. However, bacterial indicators alone are inadequate predictors of viral pathogens, which have been shown to sometimes be present even in waters with low bacterial indicator concentrations; reports from numerous locations, including the study area reported here (11,12,22), show an absence of a significant quantitative relationship between indicator bacteria and viral pathogens, as reviewed by Griffin et al (8).…”

“…About 37% of the United States population resides in coastal areas, with about 1.0 ϫ 10 10 gallons of wastewater released into rivers and seas from outfalls and storm drains per day (8). Before their release, wastewaters are not always treated to remove viruses, and storm water is usually not treated at all (24).…”

“…Before their release, wastewaters are not always treated to remove viruses, and storm water is usually not treated at all (24). Epidemiology studies have shown that recreational exposure from swimming or surfing in locations impacted by contaminated storm water leads to a significant increase in a variety of illnesses (8,10). There can be even greater potential exposure through the consumption of contaminated shellfish due to concentration of contaminants by the filter feeders (6,8,25,29).…”

“…Epidemiology studies have shown that recreational exposure from swimming or surfing in locations impacted by contaminated storm water leads to a significant increase in a variety of illnesses (8,10). There can be even greater potential exposure through the consumption of contaminated shellfish due to concentration of contaminants by the filter feeders (6,8,25,29). The illnesses of concern include (but are not limited to) diarrhea, ocular and respiratory infection, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, myocarditis, meningitis, paralysis, and severe chronic disease.…”

“…Important waterborne pathogenic viruses include many enteric viruses that are transmitted via the fecal-oral route. These include Picornaviridae (which includes the enteroviruses, e.g., poliovirus, coxsackievirus, and echovirus), Adenoviridae, Caliciviridae (norovirus, calicivirus), Astroviridae, and Reoviridae (reovirus, rotavirus) (8).…”