Evaluation of a novel electropositive filter for the concentration of viruses from diverse water matrices

Human enteric viruses are important agents of waterborne illness. They are diffusely distributed in environmental waters, necessitating concentration of tens to hundreds of litres for effective detection. This study evaluates the novel ViroCap disposable capsule filter for concentration of coliphage MS2 and poliovirus (PV1) from deionised (DI) water and artificial seawater, as well as natural ground, surface, and seawater. Retention and recoveries for the ViroCap were compared with two well-characterised filters: the 1MDS for DI water, and the OptiCap XL for artificial seawater. The mean adsorption for MS2 by the ViroCap was 88%. Recovery of MS2 was significantly greater (p <= 0.01) than alternative filters tested: 65% from DI water and 63% from artificial seawater, compared to 30% for the 1MDS and 15% for the OptiCap for the respective matrices. Recovery of PV1 from DI water (37%) was similar to that of the 1MDS (51%). PV1 recoveries from artificial seawater were significantly greater (p <= 0.01) for the ViroCap (44%) than the OptiCap (11%). Recovery of MS2 from seeded environmental samples yielded 44% from groundwater, 53% from surface water, and 51% from seawater. ViroCap disposable filter is efficient for concentrating MS2 and PV1 from diverse matrices and is robust across a range of ionic concentrations.