Volumen 44 - Número 2: 511-516 | 2009
Nota Científica

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

Maritza Soler^1*, Soledad Lobos², Marcos Lorca³ y Ema Navarrete⁴

¹Depto. de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Gran Bretaña 1111 Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile
²Depto. de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Gran Bretaña 1093 Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile
³Tesista Proyecto DIPUV 04/2001, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Leopoldo Carvallo 270, Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile
⁴Depto. de Pre-Clínica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Hontaneda 2653, Valparaíso, Chile

*This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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.

Kewy words: Aquatic pollution, cell culture, RT-PCR, public health, virus infections

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