Viruses And Environment

This book argues, that without methods, there can be no research. Effective research requires effective methods, not always easy to come by. The development of methods in environmental virology became a focus of growing interest about two decades ago. Progress has been significant since that time in pure experimental systems, where there are no interferences, consistent high recoveries of viruses from environmental waters has been achievable for some time. In the natural environment, however, in relatively clean waters, substances such as humic and fulvic acids interfere with viral recoveries and average recovery rates probably do not reach 20%. With sewage sludges and shellfish, recoveries are undoubtedly much lower. Yet, even relatively low viral recovery rates have made possible the detection of viral hazards in drinking waters. The hazards that exist are undoubtedly much greater than those demonstrated with the relatively inefficient methods inefficient methods developed thus far. Improving methods, as they are developed in the years to come, will undoubtedly bring the true extent of the hazards into better perspective.

Viruses infect numerous microorganisms including, predominantly, Bacteria (bacteriophages or phages) but also Archaea, Protists, and Fungi. They are the most abundant and ubiquitous biological entities on Earth and are important drivers of ecosystem functioning. Little is known, however, about the vast majority of these viruses of microorganisms, or VoMs. Modern techniques such as metagenomics have enabled the discovery and description of more presumptive VoMs than ever before, but also have exposed gaps in our understanding of VoM ecology. Exploring the ecology of these viruses – which is how they interact with host organisms, the abiotic environment, larger organisms, and even other viruses across a variety of environments and conditions – is the next frontier. Integration of a growing molecular understanding of VoMs with ecological studies will expand our knowledge of ecosystem dynamics. Ecology can be studied at multiple levels including individual organisms, populations, communities, whole ecosystems, and the entire biosphere. Ecology additionally can consider normal, equilibrium conditions or instead perturbations. Perturbations are of particular interest because measuring the effect of disturbances on VoM-associated communities provides important windows into how VoMs contribute to ecosystem dynamics. These disturbances in turn can be studied through in vitro, in vivo, and in situ experimentation, measuring responses by VoM-associated communities to changes in nutrient availability, stress, physical disruption, seasonality, etc., and could apply to studies at all ecological levels. These are considered here across diverse systems and environments.

In the decades, ahead, as virus detection technology continues to improve, we may expect greater attention to the problem of water transmission of these agents. This books' contributors will discuss the developing knowledge and technology for the detection and measurement of viruses in waters and wastewaters in dealing with the problem presented by that presence.

Viruses and Environment contains the proceedings of the Third International Conference on Comparative Virology, held at Mont Gabriel, Quebec, Canada on May 1977. The primary focus of the conference is the ecology of viruses, that is, the interrelationships between organisms and their environment. Organized into seven parts with a total of 33 chapters, this book centers on the impact of viruses on the environment; the persistent virus infections of man, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and plants; and the smallest disease agents, the viroids. In particular, this book describes the reservoirs of viruses, such as arthropod vectors, water, cultivated plants, and wild animals; safety considerations concerning the use of live virus vaccines; and the viral insecticides. The use of bacterial viruses in genetic engineering is also addressed. This treatise will be valuable to research workers in medical and biomedical fields; biological control; and animal and plant quarantine. It will also benefit the university teachers and graduate students.

Environmental Virology, Volume 101, the latest in the Advances in Virus Research series, contains new, informative updates on the topic. First published in 1953, this series covers a diverse range of in-depth reviews, providing a valuable overview of the current field of virology. Updates to this release include sections on the host landscape and vector behavior, key determinants of plant virus evolution and emergence, plant virome analysis using spatial metagenomics, host range evolution in generalist viruses, the influence of environment, water-mediated spread and transmission of viruses, viruses transmitted by means other than insect vectors, and more. Contains contributions from leading authorities in the field of virology Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field Features a diverse range of virology topics, including discussions of host landscape and vector behavior and viruses transmitted by means other than insect vectors

We have attempted to provide a concise and up to date account of human viruses in the environment with attention to basic tools now available for monitoring viruses. We have aimed this introductory volume at young students, teachers and investigators in microbiology, virology, environmental engineering and health sciences. As the routes for virus dissemination become more varied, there is an enhanced potential for causing infection in humans. Improvement in the development of control strategies will alleviate the magnitude of viral pollution of the environment. This volume will introduce the reader to an area of science which of necessity must utilize a variety of disciplines. V.CHALAPATIRAO JOSEPH L. MELNICK v We humbly dedicate this volume to the cherished memory of our parents Contents Preface v 1 Introduction 1 References 9 2 Human enteric viruses in polluted water 10 Enteroviruses 10 Hepatitis A virus 11 Non-A, non-B hepatitis 12 Norwalk and Norwalk-like agents 12 Rotaviruses 13 Adenoviruses 13 Parvoviruses 14 Enteric viruses in the etiology of water-borne disease 14 Summary 16 References 16 3 Monitoring for viruses in wastewater and water 18 Why water should be monitored for viral contamination 18 Methods for monitoring viral contamination 19 Virus isolation from sewage, and surface and drinking water 25 Indicators for viruses 30 Standards for viruses in drinking water 32 Future developments in virus detection 33 Summary 38 References 39 4 Virus removal by treatment processes 41 Advanced waste treatment (tertiary treatment) 46 Disinfection 49 Summary 54 References 54