Quantification and Molecular Characterization of Norovirus After Two Wastewater Treatment Procedures

Ibrahim, Chourouk; Cherif, Nadia; Hammami, Salah; Pothier, Pierre; Hassen, Abdennaceur

Quantification and Molecular Characterization of Norovirus After Two Wastewater Treatment Procedures

2015

Ibrahim, Chourouk | Cherif, Nadia | Hammami, Salah | Pothier, Pierre | Hassen, Abdennaceur

Detection, molecular characterization, and quantification of Norovirus (NoVs) in a semi-industrial pilot plant were performed in order to assess the efficiency of the secondary biological treatment using two different procedures: natural oxidation ponds and biodisks. A total of 102 wastewater samples were collected from two biological treatment processes in a semi-industrial pilot plant. NoVs GII and NoVs GI were detected and quantified in 65 % (n = 66) and in 1 % (n = 1) of the samples of wastewater from the plant, respectively. The average values of viral content (genome copies/μl) obtained in the effluent of the two lines of treatment showed a substantial reduction in the prevalence and in the viral content of NoVs GII detected from one basin to another of the five watersheds of the oxidation ponds and at the expiration of the biodisk line. The predominant genogroup of NoVs was NoVs GII (65 %), followed by NoVs GI (1 %). The predominant genotype of NoVs GII was GGII.12 (n = 11), followed by GGII.b (n = 1), GGII.1 (n = 1), and GGII.16 (n = 1) and two mixed combinations: GGI.2/GGII.12 (n = 5) and GGI.2/GGII.b (n = 1) were identified. The results obtained in this study represent the first documentation in Tunisia on the effectiveness of biological treatment for the removal of NoVs in the area of the capital of Tunis.

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