An improved method for the concentration of rotaviruses from large volumes of water.

A microporous filter method for the concentration and reconcentration of rotaviruses from large volumes of water was developed. This method allows for the processing of large volumes of water with high recoveries of rotaviruses. Averages of 49% and 41% of seeded viruses were recovered from 20 and 400 l of water, respectively. Of the various eluents evaluated, a mixture of 10% tryptose phosphate broth and 3% beef extract at a pH value of 10.0 was found to give the greatest elution efficiency. The use of the positively charged 1MDS filters allowed for the processing of waters without the need for pH adjustments. An overall recovery of 35% was obtained from 400 l when hydroextraction was used as a second-step concentration procedure.