Resumen

GALEANO, María Eugenia et al. Extreme precipitation events increase the circulation of infectious pathogens: detection of rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus, enteric adenovirus and non-tuberculous mycobacteria in flood water of Asunción, Paraguay, in 2014. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2022, vol.20, n.2, pp.29-47. ISSN 1812-9528.  https://doi.org/10.18004/mem.iics/1812-9528/2022.020.02.29.

Extreme rainfall represents one of the most important natural climatic events and can cause devastating floods. From June to August 2014, one of the most serious floods in the history of the city of Asunción was recorded. It caused a considerable increase in the level of the Paraguay River and the displacement of 300,000 people to temporary camps. Since direct contact with flood water, consumption of contaminated water and the congregation of those affected in temporary shelters are risk factors for infectious diseases, the objective of this study was the implementation of a standardized methodology for the concentration and detection of enteric viruses and non-tuberculous mycobacteria, by real-time PCR and PCR-associated enzyme restriction analysis (PRA), in samples of flood water and the report of the pathogens detected in the affected areas of Asunción and in the Bay of the Paraguay River. The proposed methodology proved to have good sensitivity and the presence of rotavirus, norovirus (genogroups I and II), astrovirus, enteric adenovirus and non-tuberculous mycobacteria was recorded in 50% (N=4/8) of the samples from the Sajonia, San Jeronimo and Ricardo Brugada, Chacarita neighborhoods. In addition, we report secondary data on cases of infectious diseases, registered in the health services of the affected neighborhoods during the flood period.

Palabras clave : waterborne viruses; viral gastroenteritis; floodwater; rotavirus; norovirus; astrovirus; enteric adenovirus; non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

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