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Aggregation of Adenovirus 2 in Source Water and Impacts on Disinfection by Chlorine

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Abstract

It is generally accepted that viral particles in source water are likely to be found as aggregates attached to other particles. For this reason, it is important to investigate the disinfection efficacy of chlorine on aggregated viruses. A method to produce adenovirus particle aggregation was developed for this study. Negative stain electron microscopy was used to measure aggregation before and after addition of virus particles to surface water at different pH and specific conductance levels. The impact of aggregation on the efficacy of chlorine disinfection was also examined. Disinfection experiments with human adenovirus 2 (HAdV2) in source water were conducted using 0.2 mg/L free chlorine at 5 °C. Aggregation of HAdV2 in source water (≥3 aggregated particles) remained higher at higher specific conductance and pH levels. However, aggregation was highly variable, with the percentage of particles present in aggregates ranging from 43 to 71 %. Upon addition into source water, the aggregation percentage dropped dramatically. On average, chlorination CT values (chlorine concentration in mg/L × time in min) for 3-log10 inactivation of aggregated HAdV2 were up to three times higher than those for dispersed HAdV2, indicating that aggregation reduced the disinfection rate. This information can be used by water utilities and regulators to guide decision making regarding disinfection of viruses in water.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Bonnie Mull (CDC) for assistance with disinfection experiments, and Washington Aqueduct staff for providing source water. Funding for this project was provided in part by the Water Research Foundation (Project #3134, Contaminant Candidate List Viruses: Evaluation of Disinfection Efficacy). The use of trade names and names of commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, 1600 Clifton Road, Mail Stop D-66, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA

    Amy M. Kahler, Maureen G. Metcalfe, Charles D. Humphrey & Vincent R. Hill

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Atlanta, USA

    Theresa L. Cromeans

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  1. Amy M. Kahler
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  2. Theresa L. Cromeans
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  3. Maureen G. Metcalfe
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  4. Charles D. Humphrey
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  5. Vincent R. Hill
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Correspondence to Amy M. Kahler.

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Kahler, A.M., Cromeans, T.L., Metcalfe, M.G. et al. Aggregation of Adenovirus 2 in Source Water and Impacts on Disinfection by Chlorine. Food Environ Virol 8, 148–155 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-016-9232-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-016-9232-x

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