Evaluation of a Concentration Method for the Recovery of Human Adenovirus from Mineral Water, Tap Water and Well Water

Human adenoviruses (HAdV) are frequently excreted in large quantities and persist for extended periods in the environment, posing a significant health risk related to waterborne gastroenteritis. The objective of this study was to evaluate an adsorption-elution method using a negatively charged nitrocellulose membrane for its effectiveness in recovering HAdV from three different types of water (mineral water, tap water and well water). The detection of HAdV was carried out using real-time PCR. For this purpose, sterilized water samples were spiked with HAdV-infected stool and filtered through an electronegative membranes coated with MgCl₂ to retain viral particles. Subsequently, the viruses were eluted from the filters using sodium hydroxide and concentrated through two centrifugation cycles. Viral nucleic acids were then extracted and detected by real time PCR. Regarding HAdV recovery, the method's efficiency varied depending on the type of analyzed water. However, this method demonstrated a consistent performance, providing reliable results across different water samples, whether from mineral water, tap water or well water. This consistency in viral recovery is crucial to ensuring the accuracy and reliability of virological analyses in various aquatic environments.