Detection of human enteric viruses in Umgeni River, Durban, South Africa

The prevalence of adenovirus (AdV), rotaviruses (RV) and enteroviruses (EV) in Umgeni River waters of Durban, South Africawas assessed qualitatively and quantitatively during April 2011 to January 2012 using polymerasechain reaction (PCR)/reversetranscription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), nested PCR and quantitative PCR (qPCR), as well as nested integrated cell culture PCR (nested ICC-PCR). The phylogenetic analysisof theadenovirus andenterovirusampliconswasalsoperformed. ThenestedPCRresultseffectively detected the presence of AdV and EV in all water samples. The results of qPCR demonstrated that higher populations of EV and ofAdVwerewidely found in theUmgeni River. Rotavirus could only be detected in the upper Umgeni River, mainly during drier seasons. Nested ICC-PCR further confirmed the presence of infectiousAdVandEVparticles in100%ofwatersamplesusing various cell lines. Thepresent study identifies potential viral hazards of Umgeni River water for domestic water supply and recreational activities.