Citation:

Cashdollar, J. AND L. Wymer. Methods for primary concentration of viruses from water samples: a review and meta-analysis of recent studies. JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY. Blackwell Publishing, Malden, MA, 115(1):1-11, (2013).

Impact/Purpose:

The purpose of this paper is to review current research on virus concentration methods and to perform statistical analysis in order to compare performance of various methods.

Description:

Since the beginning of environmental virology in the mid-20th century, a key challenge to scientists in the environmental field has been how to collect, isolate, and detect pathogenic viruses from water that is used for drinking and/or recreational purposes. Early studies investigated different types of membrane filters, with more sophisticated technologies being developed more recently. The purpose of this study was to look at the current state of the science of methods for the concentration of viruses from water. Several technologies were reviewed, and associated data was included in a meta-analysis which showed that electronegative filters, electropositive filters, and ultrafilters are comparable in performance, and that significant differences in recovery are due to virus type rather than filter type or water matrix. This information is useful, as it will help to determine which method(s) should be used, particularly if there is a specific viral type being targeted for a particular study. In addition, it will be helpful when sampling different environmental water matrices and/or when budget allowance must be taken into consideration. Taken together, this will be useful in performing viral occurrence studies, which ultimately can help ensure safer water for both humans and the environment.

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