1
|
Robalo A, Brandão J, Shibata T, Solo-Gabriele H, Santos R, Monteiro S. Detection of enteric viruses and SARS-CoV-2 in beach sand. Sci Total Environ 2023; 901:165836. [PMID: 37517729 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Beach sand harbors a diverse group of microbial organisms that may be of public health concern. Nonetheless, little is known about the presence and distribution of viruses in beach sand. In this study, the first objective was to evaluate the presence of seven viruses (Aichi virus, enterovirus, hepatitis A virus, human adenovirus, norovirus, rotavirus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)) in sands collected at public beaches. The second objective was to assess the spatial distribution of enteric viruses in beach sand. To that end, 27 beach sand samples from different beaches in Portugal were collected between November 2018 and August 2020 and analyzed for the presence of viruses. At seven beaches, samples were collected in the supratidal and intertidal zones. Results show that viruses were detected in 89 % (24/27) of the sand samples. Aichi virus was the most prevalent (74 %). Noroviruses were present in 19 % of the samples (norovirus GI - 15 %, norovirus GII - 4 %). Human adenovirus and enterovirus were detected in 48 % and 22 % of the samples, respectively. Hepatitis A virus and rotavirus were not detected. Similarly, SARS-CoV-2 in beach sand collected during the initial stages of the pandemic was also not detected. The detection of three or more viruses occurred in 15 % of the samples. Concentrations of viruses were as high as 7.2 log copies (cp)/g of sand. Enteric viruses were found in higher prevalence in sand collected from the supratidal zone compared to the intertidal zone. Human adenovirus was detected in 43 % of the supratidal and 14 % in the intertidal samples and Aichi virus in 57 % and 86 % of the intertidal and supratidal areas, respectively. Our findings suggest that beach sand can be a reservoir of enteric viruses, suggesting that it might be a vehicle for disease transmission, particularly for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Robalo
- Laboratorio Analises, Técnico Lisboa, Universidade Lisboa, Portugal
| | - J Brandão
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - T Shibata
- Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability, and Energy, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA; Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - H Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - R Santos
- Laboratorio Analises, Técnico Lisboa, Universidade Lisboa, Portugal; Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Técnico Lisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S Monteiro
- Laboratorio Analises, Técnico Lisboa, Universidade Lisboa, Portugal; Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Técnico Lisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Brandão J, Albergaria I, Albuquerque J, José S, Grossinho J, Ferreira FC, Raposo A, Rodrigues R, Silva C, Jordao L, Sousa M, Rebelo MH, Veríssimo C, Sabino R, Amaro T, Cardoso F, Patrão-Costa M, Solo-Gabriele H. Untreated sewage contamination of beach sand from a leaking underground sewage system. Sci Total Environ 2020; 740:140237. [PMID: 32927553 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Thirty people (mostly children) experienced an episode of skin rash days after a sand sifting beach operation at Porto Pim Beach in Faial, Azores during June 2019. An environmental and epidemiologic investigation was conducted to identify the cause of the outbreak of skin rash. The epidemiologic investigation found that some of the patients experiencing symptoms had never entered the beach water. During the pollution period and throughout the epidemiologic investigation, faecal indicator bacteria levels (94 CFU/100 ml for intestinal enterococci and 61 CFU/100 ml for Escherichia coli) in water remained under the limits used for the ninety-five percentile calculation of an Excellent coastal and transitional bathing water defined in the Portuguese Legislation (100 CFU/100 ml for intestinal enterococci and 250 CFU/100 ml for Escherichia coli). Thus sand contact was considered as a likely primary exposure route. Sand microbiological analysis for faecal indicator organisms and electron microscopy strongly suggested faecal contamination. Chemical analysis of the sand also revealed a concomitant substance compatible with sodium-hypochlorite as analysed using gas chromatography and subsequently confirmed by free chlorine analysis. Inspection of the toilet facilities and sewage disposal system revealed a leaking sewage distribution box. Collectively, results suggest that the cause of the outbreak was the leaking underground sewage distribution box that serviced the beach toilet facilities (40 m from beach), where sodium-hypochlorite was used for cleaning and disinfection. This sewage then contaminated the surficial sands to which beach goers were exposed. Chlorine being an irritant substance, was believed to have been the cause of the symptoms given the sudden presentation and dissipation of skin rashes. No gastro-intestinal illness was reported during this episode and during the following 30 days. Like water, beach sand should also be monitored for safety, especially for areas serviced by aged infrastructure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Brandão
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal; Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) - Department of Animal Biology, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - I Albergaria
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - S José
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - J Grossinho
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - F C Ferreira
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A Raposo
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - R Rodrigues
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Silva
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - L Jordao
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Sousa
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M H Rebelo
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Veríssimo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - R Sabino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - T Amaro
- Unidade de Saúde da Ilha do Faial, Vista Alegre, Horta, Portugal
| | - F Cardoso
- Direção Regional dos Assuntos do Mar, Secretaria Regional do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia, Governo Regional dos Açores, Horta, Açores, Portugal
| | - M Patrão-Costa
- Direção Regional dos Assuntos do Mar, Secretaria Regional do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia, Governo Regional dos Açores, Horta, Açores, Portugal
| | - H Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Carvalho-Fonseca R, Solo-Gabriele H, Matias-Dias C, Brandao J. Microbiology of sands and its impact on human health. Eur J Public Health 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckw175.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
4
|
Sabino R, Rodrigues R, Costa I, Carneiro C, Cunha M, Duarte A, Faria N, Ferreira FC, Gargaté MJ, Júlio C, Martins ML, Nevers MB, Oleastro M, Solo-Gabriele H, Veríssimo C, Viegas C, Whitman RL, Brandão J. Routine screening of harmful microorganisms in beach sands: implications to public health. Sci Total Environ 2014; 472:1062-1069. [PMID: 24355396 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Beaches worldwide provide recreational opportunities to hundreds of millions of people and serve as important components of coastal economies. Beach water is often monitored for microbiological quality to detect the presence of indicators of human sewage contamination so as to prevent public health outbreaks associated with water contact. However, growing evidence suggests that beach sand can harbor microbes harmful to human health, often in concentrations greater than the beach water. Currently, there are no standards for monitoring, sampling, analyzing, or managing beach sand quality. In addition to indicator microbes, growing evidence has identified pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi in a variety of beach sands worldwide. The public health threat associated with these populations through direct and indirect contact is unknown because so little research has been conducted relating to health outcomes associated with sand quality. In this manuscript, we present the consensus findings of a workshop of experts convened in Lisbon, Portugal to discuss the current state of knowledge on beach sand microbiological quality and to develop suggestions for standardizing the evaluation of sand at coastal beaches. The expert group at the "Microareias 2012" workshop recommends that 1) beach sand should be screened for a variety of pathogens harmful to human health, and sand monitoring should then be initiated alongside regular water monitoring; 2) sampling and analysis protocols should be standardized to allow proper comparisons among beach locations; and 3) further studies are needed to estimate human health risk with exposure to contaminated beach sand. Much of the manuscript is focused on research specific to Portugal, but similar results have been found elsewhere, and the findings have worldwide implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Sabino
- Reference Unit for Systemic Infections and Zoonosis, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - R Rodrigues
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - I Costa
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - C Carneiro
- REQUIMTE/Centro de Química Fina e Biotecnologia, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Cunha
- Portuguese Environment Agency, Environment Reference Laboratory, Portugal
| | - A Duarte
- Faculty of Pharmacy, iMed.UL-Research Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Lisboa, Portugal
| | - N Faria
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - F C Ferreira
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - M J Gargaté
- Reference Unit for Systemic Infections and Zoonosis, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - C Júlio
- Reference Unit for Gastro-intestinal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - M L Martins
- Unit of Medical Microbiology, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical-Centro de Recursos Microbiológicos (CREM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Portugal
| | - M B Nevers
- United States Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center, Porter, IN, USA
| | - M Oleastro
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - H Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - C Veríssimo
- Reference Unit for Systemic Infections and Zoonosis, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - C Viegas
- Lisbon School of Health Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Lisboa, Portugal
| | - R L Whitman
- United States Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center, Porter, IN, USA
| | - J Brandão
- Reference Unit for Systemic Infections and Zoonosis, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Stook K, Dubey B, Ward M, Townsend T, Bitton G, Solo-Gabriele H. Heavy metal toxicity of pressure treated wood leachates with MetPLATE. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2004; 73:987-994. [PMID: 15674711 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-004-0523-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- K Stook
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Post Office Box 116450, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lindo JF, Dubon JM, Ager AL, de Gourville EM, Solo-Gabriele H, Klaskala WI, Baum MK, Palmer CJ. Intestinal parasitic infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative individuals in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1998; 58:431-5. [PMID: 9574787 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.1998.58.431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Honduras has at least five-times more human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals than any other country in Central America. The relationship between HIV status and the presence of intestinal parasites in this part of the world is unknown. This study presents the results from a prospective, comparative study for the presence of parasites in 52 HIV-positive and 48 HIV-negative persons in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Infection with HIV was determined by microagglutination and confirmed by Western blot analysis. Parasites were detected in stools using formalin-ether concentration, and Kinyoun and trichrome staining. Age, sex, and clinical state of HIV infection were recorded for each study participant. Our results indicate that Cryptosporidium parvum and Strongyloides stercoralis, which are intracellular or live in the mucosa, were found exclusively in persons infected with HIV. In comparison, the prevalence of the extracellular parasites Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Trichuris trichiura was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in persons who were HIV-negative. Trichuris worms are in contact with the gut epithelium and less so with the mucosa, whereas Strongyloides lives within the gut mucosa. It is possible that changes in the gut epithelium due to HIV infection do not affect the mucosa and therefore would not affect Strongyloides. We conclude that infection with HIV may selectively deter the establishment of certain intestinal parasites. This may be due to the fact that HIV-induced enteropathy does not favor the establishment of extracellular parasites. Intracellular and mucosal dwelling organisms, however, may benefit from pathologic changes and reduced local immune responses induced by the virus, which, in turn, may lead to higher prevalence among HIV-infected individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J F Lindo
- Center for Disease Prevention, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33136, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|