The Detection, Quantification, and UV Inactivation of Waterborne Rotavirus

Rotaviruses are waterborne pathogens that cause severe gastroenteritis and are highly UV-resistant. Ultraviolet light at 254 nm has been shown to cause the inactivation of rotavirus; little research on the capabilities of other UV wavelengths has been conducted. In this project, multiple wavelengths across the UVC spectrum were tested for their ability to inactivate the Wa and SA11 rotavirus strains. Action spectra generated show that SA11 is more susceptible to UV light than Wa, especially at lower wavelengths. Rotavirus was also quantified in wastewater samples from London, Ontario across months with varying levels of stringency from the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a qPCR detection assay, it was determined rotavirus concentrations fluctuate throughout time, although it is unclear if societal restrictions had an impact on this. These results provide important data for development of water treatment processes that use UV light to eliminate pathogens, as well as monitor the prevalence of rotavirus.