Quantification and molecular characterisation of human sapoviruses in water sources impacted by highly polluted discharged wastewater in South Africa

Abstract

Sapoviruses (SaVs) were detected and quantified in 8/10 water samples collected from wastewater treatment works (WWTW) and water sources impacted by these WWTWs in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The median SaV concentration was 2.45 x 106 copies/L and SaV genotypes I.2 and IV were characterised. This study provides new data on the high concentrations of clinically relevant SaVs in rivers and dams impacted by poor-performing WWTWs.