Genetic diversity of rhinoviruses detected at a tertiary hospital in Catalonia (Spain) during the 2014-2017 seasons.

Aim: To describe the genetic diversity of rhinovirus (RV) from patients attended at a tertiary hospital in Barcelona (Spain) from October 2014 to May 2017.

Methods: RV detection was performed by real-time multiplex RT-PCR. A specific real-time quantitive retrotranscription PCR (qRT-PCR) was carried out to select those samples (Ct < 35) for molecular characterization based on partial VP4/2 protein.

Assessment of drinking water quality using indicator bacteria and bacteriophages.

Bacterial indicators and bacteriophages suggested as potential indicators of water quality were determined by public laboratories in water from springs, household water wells, and rural and metropolitan water supplies in north-eastern Spain. Indicator bacteria were detected more frequently than bacteriophages in springs, household water wells and rural water supplies. In contrast, positive bacteriophage detections were more numerous than those of bacteria in metropolitan water supplies.