One-year assessment of Human Sapovirus presence in groundwater in Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESInfection with human sapoviruses (HuSaVs) is a global public health concern that contributes significantly to the burden of gastrointestinal disorders by causing acute gastroenteritis in sporadic cases and also outbreaks. For individuals living in rural and remote areas, as well as for their animals, groundwater is a crucial water supply. Furthermore, the microbiological quality of groundwater has become a significant concern for people's drinking water safety and the food security of agricultural products such as vegetables. HuSaVs, including genogroups I, II, IV, and V, cause diarrhea and vomiting in people of all ages. This is the first report of the HuSaVs RNA detection in groundwater in Iran.MATERIALS AND METHODSSeasonally, ۴۸ groundwater samples were collected from ۱۲ sites using the grab sampling method. A virus adsorption-elution concentration method was utilized followed by viral RNA extraction. HuSaV genome was detected using a conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONHuSaV was found in ۲.۰۸% (۱/۴۸) of the groundwater samples that were processed using the the conventional RT-PCR to amplify the capsid region of the viral genome.CONCLUSIONThe presence of HuSaVs in groundwater indicates possibility of human fecal contamination, inefficiency in wastewater treatment systems, and probable discharge of treated or untreated wastewater into water sources, which need more effective control on water sources and applying contamination prevention protocols.

کلیدواژه ها:

Human Sapovirus ، Gastroenteritis ، Groundwater ، RT-PCR ، VIRADEL ، Iran