Enterovirus en aguas naturales de Valparaíso: una propuesta metodológica para su análisis

In Chile, water sanitary quality is determined by the concentration of fecal indicator bacteria. However, numerous investigations have shown that achieving minimum fecal coliform standards do not predict viral contamination, such as enteric viruses. Enteroviruses are microorganisms causing several infections and massive outbreaks of illness which represent a serious risk for public health. In the present study, performed during 2001-2003 in Valparaiso, central Chile, natural water samples were collected from five streams and processed for enterovirus detection by tissue culture and reverse transcription (RT) associated to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). None enterovirus was found in any of the natural stream waters. Simulation of an infection, in drinking water and water from one stream was used to check RT-PCR detection of enterovirus