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Journal article
Critical Evaluation of CrAssphage as a Molecular Marker for Human-Derived Wastewater Contamination in the Aquatic Environment
Food and environmental virology, Vol.11(2), pp.113-119
2019
PMCID: PMC6513805
PMID: 30758724
Abstract
The discharge of human-derived wastewater represents a major threat to water quality with the potential for waterborne disease outbreaks mainly associated with enteric viruses. To prevent illnesses, indicators associated with fecal contamination are monitored in polluted areas, however, their prevalence often does not correlate well with viral pathogens. In this study, we used crAssphage, a recently discovered human-specific gut-associated bacteriophage, for the surveillance of wastewater-derived viral contamination. Untreated and treated wastewater, surface water, sediment and mussel samples were collected monthly over 1 year from the Conwy River and estuary (UK) and were analyzed for crAssphage marker by quantitative PCR. This is the first long-term catchment-to-coast scale study of environmental crAssphage concentrations. CrAssphage was detected in all sample types and showed no distinct seasonal pattern. CrAssphage concentrations were 2 x 10(5)-10(9) genome copies (gc)/L in all untreated wastewater influent and 10(7)-10(8) gc/L in secondary treated effluent samples, 3 x 10(3) gc/L-3 x 10(7) gc/L in surface water samples (94% positive) and 2 x 10(2)-10(4) gc/g sediment (68% positive) and mussel digestive tissue (79% positive). CrAssphage concentrations were 1-5 log(10) higher than human enteric virus titers (norovirus, sapovirus, adenovirus, polyomavirus). Our results indicate that crAssphage is well suited to tracking human wastewater contamination and pollution risk assessment in aquatic environments.
Details
- Title
- Critical Evaluation of CrAssphage as a Molecular Marker for Human-Derived Wastewater Contamination in the Aquatic Environment
- Authors/Creators
- Kata Farkas - Bangor UniversityEvelien M. Adriaenssens - University of LiverpoolDavid I. Walker - Ctr Environm Fisheries & Aquaculture Sci, Weymouth, Dorset, EnglandJames E. McDonald - Bangor UniversityShelagh K. Malham - Bangor UniversityDavey L. Jones - Bangor University
- Publication Details
- Food and environmental virology, Vol.11(2), pp.113-119
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- NE/M010996/1 / NERC; UK Research & Innovation (UKRI); Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) NE/M010996/1 / Food Standards Agency (FSA) under the Environmental Microbiology and Human Health (EMHH) Programme Natural Environment Research Council (NERC); UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
- Identifiers
- 991005560434107891
- Copyright
- © 2019 The Author(s)
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
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- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.246 Diarrheal Diseases
- 1.246.710 Enteric Viruses
- Web Of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- Food Science & Technology
- Microbiology
- Virology
- ESI research areas
- Microbiology