MOLECULAR DETECTION OF HUMAN GROUP A ROTAVIRUSES IN URBAN AND HOSPITAL SEWAGE SYSTEMS AND RIVER WATER SAMPLES IN ALBORZ PROVINCE

Background and Aim:Waterborne pathogens and related diseases are a major public health concern worldwide. Human group A rotaviruses are the most important cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and among children <5 years of age worldwide. The aim of this study was molecular detection of human group A rotaviruses in urban and hospital sewage systems and river water samples in Alborz province.Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 76 samples collected from 4 sewage treatment systems, hospital sewage, Karaj and Baraghan rivers in Alborz province. All samples were concentrated using pellet method. Then human group A rotaviruses were identified with RT-PCR method. Primers Beg9 and End9 were used for amplifying of 1062 bp VP7 specific segment of group A rotaviruses.Results:In total, rotaviruses were identified in 6 samples (7.89%). The frequency of rotavirus detection in summer, autumn and winter was 16.66%, 50% and 33.33%, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between presence of rotavirus distribution and monthly distribution (P=0.886).Conclusion:Our research on environmental dispersion of rotaviruses in sewage and river samples indicates the presence of this intestinal virus in these water sources. Since pathogens in water are still a major cause of severe illness and mortality, it is necessary to constantly monitor sewage treatment systems. Therefore finding new methods of sewage treatment to remove enteric viruses such as rotavirus is necessary.

کلیدواژه ها:

Human group A rotaviruses ، Acute gastroenteritis ، Urban sewage ، RT-PCR