Distribution of human fecal marker genes and their association with pathogenic viruses in untreated wastewater determined using quantitative PCR

• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119093
• Publication Date: 2022-09-10T00:24:10Z
• Authors: Warish Ahmed; Aaron Bivins; Sudhi Payyappat; Michele Cassidy; Nathan Harrison; Colin Besley
• Keywords: Pathogenic bacteria

Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) of human health risks using fecal marker genes (HFMGs) is an useful water quality management tool. To inform accurate QMRA analysis, generation probability distribution functions for HFMGs, and reference pathogenic viruses can be improved by input correlation ratios based upon measurement HFMGs gene copies (GC) in untreated wastewater. The concentrations four (Bacteroides HF183, Lachnospiraceae Lachno3, CrAssphage pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV)), GC three adenovirus 40/41 (HAdV 40/41), norovirus GI + GII HNoV enterovirus (EV) were measured wastewater samples collected over a period 12 months from two treatment plants Sydney, Australia quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) reverse transcription qPCR (RT-qPCR). Over the course study, potential 3-5 orders magnitude lower than highly variable which contrasted with that quite stable little variation observed within between WWTPs. Among PMMoV correlated well GC, whereas weak or negative correlations Lachno3 GC. While assessed WWTPs had dissimilar population service sizes, log10 transformed demonstrated similar central tendency variability same combinations WWTP A B no difference This suggests widespread presence these both populations serviced contribute to environmental waters subject fresh sewer overflows.