Detection of Indigenous Enteric Viruses in Raw Sewage Effluents of the City of Athens, Greece, During a Two Year Survey

In a two year survey of enteric viruses in urban sewage effluents of Athens, Greece, during 1982–1983, indigenous Enteroviruses and Adenoviruses have been detected. Enteroviruses, (Polio, Coxsackie B and Echo) were recovered on Vero or BGM cells by inoculation of samples, after a pre-concentration step utilizing glass powder. Adenoviruses were recovered on Hep 2 cells after being Precipitated with protamine sulfate. The viral content was in the order of 10 2 -10 3 cytopathogenic units (CPU) per litre of sample. Seasonal fluctuations of the various serotypes recovered were observed. The peak of Adenoviruses was found in early spring whereas Enteroviruses peaked in late summer-early fall. The most frequently recovered serotypes within each group were : Polio III (47%), Coxsackie B5 (56%), Echo 7 (61%) and Adeno 7 (43%). Similar isolation frequencies, except for Polio, were found in humans as well. As regards Polioviruses, all strains recovered from sewage were found to be vaccine-related by the intratypic serodifferentiation test.