Background: Bacteria used as indicators for pathogenic microorganisms in water are not
considered adequate as enteric virus indicators. Surface water from a tropical high-altitude system
located in Mexico City that receives rainwater, treated and non-treated wastewater used for
irrigation, and groundwater used for drinking, was studied.
Methods: The presence of enterovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, coliphage, coliform bacteria, and
enterococci was determined during annual cycles in 2001 and 2002. Enteric viruses in concentrated
water samples were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Coliphages were detected using the double agar layer method. Bacteria analyses of the water
sBackground
At present, public health concerns remain focused on
waterborne diseases, with incidence data in both developed
and developing countries making gastroenteritis
highly important. A diversity of enteric bacteria and
viruses has been associated with outbreaks of waterborne
gastroenteritis [1,2].