Molecular detection and genotyping of human noroviruses in influent and effluent water at a wastewater treatment plant in Japan.

Aims: To investigate the prevalence, seasonality and genotype distribution of human noroviruses (NoVs) in wastewater in Japan.

Methods And Results: Influent and effluent water samples were collected monthly for a year from a wastewater treatment plant and examined for the presence of genogroups I and II (GI and GII) NoVs. Using real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assays, 12 (100%) influent and six (50%) effluent samples were positive for both GI and GII NoV genomes, with a higher prevalence in winter.

Genotype distribution of human sapoviruses in wastewater in Japan.

Human sapovirus sequences were identified in 12 (100%) influent and 7 (58%) effluent wastewater samples collected once a month for a year. The strains were characterized based on their partial capsid gene sequences and classified into 10 genotypes, demonstrating that genetically diverse sapovirus strains infect humans in the study area.

Prevalence and genetic diversity of Aichi viruses in wastewater and river water in Japan.

Aichi virus (AiV) genomes were detected in 12 (100%) influent and 11 (92%) effluent wastewater and 36 (60%) river water samples. Among 260 strains identified, 255 were genotype A and 5 were genotype B. This is the first report describing the molecular characterization of AiVs in aquatic environments in Japan.

Genetic diversity of genogroup IV noroviruses in wastewater in Japan.

Aims: To investigate the prevalence, seasonality and genetic diversity of genogroup IV noroviruses (GIV NoVs) in wastewater in Japan.

Methods And Results: Untreated and treated wastewater samples were collected monthly for a year from a wastewater treatment plant in Japan. The concentrated wastewater samples were examined for the presence of GIV NoV genomes with seminested RT-PCR assay targeting partial capsid gene.

Detection of genogroup IV norovirus in wastewater and river water in Japan.

Aims: To test wastewater and river water in Japan for genogroup IV norovirus (GIV NoV).

Methods And Results: Influent and effluent samples from a wastewater treatment plant and the Tamagawa River water samples were collected monthly for a year. The water samples were concentrated by the adsorption-elution method, using an HA electronegative filter with acid rinse procedure, followed by quantitative detection of GIV NoV using TaqMan-based real-time RT-PCR.