Metcalf T G, Melnick J L, Estes M K
Division of Molecular Virology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Annu Rev Microbiol. 1995;49:461-87. doi: 10.1146/annurev.mi.49.100195.002333.
Environmental virology began with efforts to detect poliovirus in sewage and water more than 50 years ago. Since that time, cell-culture methods useful for detection of enteroviruses have been replaced by molecular biology techniques for detection of pathogens (hepatitis A and E viruses, caliciviruses, rotaviruses, and astroviruses) that do not grow in cell culture or grow with great difficulty. Amplification of viral nucleic acid using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the current preferred method. PCR or RT-PCR (to detect RNA viral genomes) is rapid, sensitive, specific, and quantitative. Method shortcomings include potential inhibition by substances in some environmental samples and an inability of test results to distinguish between infectious and noninfectious virus. Current questions involving use of PCR/RT-PCR tests for public health purposes include: What is the public health significance of a positive test, and should direct tests for viruses replace current public health-monitoring programs?
环境病毒学始于50多年前在污水和水中检测脊髓灰质炎病毒的努力。从那时起，用于检测肠道病毒的细胞培养方法已被分子生物学技术所取代，这些技术用于检测在细胞培养中不生长或极难生长的病原体（甲型和戊型肝炎病毒、杯状病毒、轮状病毒和星状病毒）。使用聚合酶链反应（PCR）扩增病毒核酸是目前首选的方法。PCR或RT-PCR（用于检测RNA病毒基因组）快速、灵敏、特异且定量。方法的缺点包括某些环境样品中的物质可能产生抑制作用，以及检测结果无法区分感染性病毒和非感染性病毒。目前涉及将PCR/RT-PCR检测用于公共卫生目的的问题包括：阳性检测结果的公共卫生意义是什么，以及病毒直接检测是否应取代当前的公共卫生监测计划？
