Inactivation of simian rotavirus SA11 by chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and monochloramine.

The kinetics of inactivation of simian rotavirus SA11 by chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and monochloramine were studied at 5 degrees C with a purified preparation of single virions and a preparation of cell-associated virions. Inactivation of the virus preparations with chlorine and chlorine dioxide was studied at pH 6 and 10. The monochloramine studies were done at pH 8. With 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter at pH 6, more than 4 logs (99.99%) of the single virions were inactivated in less than 15 s. Both virus preparations were inactivated more rapidly at pH 6 than at pH 10. With chlorine dioxide, however, the opposite was true. Both virus preparations were inactivated more rapidly at pH 10 than at pH 6. With 0.5 mg of chlorine dioxide per liter at pH 10, more than 4 logs of the single-virus preparation were inactivated in less than 15 s. The cell-associated virus was more resistant to inactivation by the three disinfectants than was the preparation of single virions. Chlorine and chlorine dioxide, each at a concentration of 0.5 mg/liter and at pH 6 and 10, respectively, inactivated 99% of both virus preparations within 4 min. Monochloramine at a concentration of 10 mg/liter and at pH 8 required more than 6 h for the same amount of inactivation.     

Inactivation of particle-associated coliforms by chlorine and monochloramine

Sieves and nylon screens were used to separate primary sewage effluent solids into particle fractions of less than 7- or greater than 7-micron size. The efficiency of separation was determined by using a particle counter. Indigenous coliforms associated with the particle fractions were tested for their resistance to chlorine and monochloramine. Coliforms associated with the less than 7-microns fraction were inactivated more rapidly by 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter at 5 degrees C and pH 7 than coliforms associated with the greater than 7-microns fraction. Homogenization of the greater than 7-microns fraction not only resulted in an increase in the number of less than 7-microns particles, but also increased the rate of inactivation to a rate similar to that of the less than 7-microns fraction. With 1 mg of monochloramine per liter at 5 degrees C and pH 7, particle size had no appreciable effect on the rate of inactivation. At pH 8, however, the less than 7-micron fraction was inactivated more rapidly than the greater than 7-micron fraction. The time required for 99% inactivation of the particle fractions with monochloramine at pH 7 or 8 was 20- to 50-fold greater than the time required for the same amount of inactivation with chlorine at pH 7. The results indicate that coliforms associated with sewage effluent particles are inactivated more rapidly with 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter than with 1.0 mg of monochloramine per liter. However, greater than 7-micron particles can have a protective effect against the disinfecting action of chlorine.     

Inactivation of particle-associated coliforms by chlorine and monochloramine.

Sieves and nylon screens were used to separate primary sewage effluent solids into particle fractions of less than 7- or greater than 7-micron size. The efficiency of separation was determined by using a particle counter. Indigenous coliforms associated with the particle fractions were tested for their resistance to chlorine and monochloramine. Coliforms associated with the less than 7-microns fraction were inactivated more rapidly by 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter at 5 degrees C and pH 7 than coliforms associated with the greater than 7-microns fraction. Homogenization of the greater than 7-microns fraction not only resulted in an increase in the number of less than 7-microns particles, but also increased the rate of inactivation to a rate similar to that of the less than 7-microns fraction. With 1 mg of monochloramine per liter at 5 degrees C and pH 7, particle size had no appreciable effect on the rate of inactivation. At pH 8, however, the less than 7-micron fraction was inactivated more rapidly than the greater than 7-micron fraction. The time required for 99% inactivation of the particle fractions with monochloramine at pH 7 or 8 was 20- to 50-fold greater than the time required for the same amount of inactivation with chlorine at pH 7. The results indicate that coliforms associated with sewage effluent particles are inactivated more rapidly with 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter than with 1.0 mg of monochloramine per liter. However, greater than 7-micron particles can have a protective effect against the disinfecting action of chlorine.     

Effects of ozone, chlorine dioxide, chlorine, and monochloramine on Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst viability.

Purified Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts were exposed to ozone, chlorine dioxide, chlorine, and monochloramine. Excystation and mouse infectivity were comparatively evaluated to assess oocyst viability. Ozone and chlorine dioxide more effectively inactivated oocysts than chlorine and monochloramine did. Greater than 90% inactivation as measured by infectivity was achieved by treating oocysts with 1 ppm of ozone (1 mg/liter) for 5 min. Exposure to 1.3 ppm of chlorine dioxide yielded 90% inactivation after 1 h, while 80 ppm of chlorine and 80 ppm of monochloramine required approximately 90 min for 90% inactivation. The data indicate that C. parvum oocysts are 30 times more resistant to ozone and 14 times more resistant to chlorine dioxide than Giardia cysts exposed to these disinfectants under the same conditions. With the possible exception of ozone, the use of disinfectants alone should not be expected to inactivate C. parvum oocysts in drinking water.     

Effects of ozone, chlorine dioxide, chlorine, and monochloramine on Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst viability

Purified Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts were exposed to ozone, chlorine dioxide, chlorine, and monochloramine. Excystation and mouse infectivity were comparatively evaluated to assess oocyst viability. Ozone and chlorine dioxide more effectively inactivated oocysts than chlorine and monochloramine did. Greater than 90% inactivation as measured by infectivity was achieved by treating oocysts with 1 ppm of ozone (1 mg/liter) for 5 min. Exposure to 1.3 ppm of chlorine dioxide yielded 90% inactivation after 1 h, while 80 ppm of chlorine and 80 ppm of monochloramine required approximately 90 min for 90% inactivation. The data indicate that C. parvum oocysts are 30 times more resistant to ozone and 14 times more resistant to chlorine dioxide than Giardia cysts exposed to these disinfectants under the same conditions. With the possible exception of ozone, the use of disinfectants alone should not be expected to inactivate C. parvum oocysts in drinking water.     

Inactivation of human and simian rotaviruses by chlorine dioxide

The inactivation of single-particle stocks of human (type 2, Wa) and simian (SA-11) rotaviruses by chlorine dioxide was investigated. Experiments were conducted at 4 degrees C in a standard phosphate-carbonate buffer. Both virus types were rapidly inactivated, within 20 s under alkaline conditions, when chlorine dioxide concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.2 mg/liter were used. Similar reductions of 10(5)-fold in infectivity required additional exposure time of 120 s at 0.2 mg/liter for Wa and at 0.5 mg/liter for SA-11, respectively, at pH 6.0. The inactivation of both virus types was moderate at neutral pH, and the sensitivities to chlorine dioxide were similar. The observed enhancement of virucidal efficiency with increasing pH was contrary to earlier findings with chlorine- and ozone-treated rotavirus particles, where efficiencies decreased with increasing alkalinity. Comparison of 99.9% virus inactivation times revealed ozone to be the most effective virucidal agent among these three disinfectants.     

Inactivation of human and simian rotaviruses by chlorine dioxide.

The inactivation of single-particle stocks of human (type 2, Wa) and simian (SA-11) rotaviruses by chlorine dioxide was investigated. Experiments were conducted at 4 degrees C in a standard phosphate-carbonate buffer. Both virus types were rapidly inactivated, within 20 s under alkaline conditions, when chlorine dioxide concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.2 mg/liter were used. Similar reductions of 10(5)-fold in infectivity required additional exposure time of 120 s at 0.2 mg/liter for Wa and at 0.5 mg/liter for SA-11, respectively, at pH 6.0. The inactivation of both virus types was moderate at neutral pH, and the sensitivities to chlorine dioxide were similar. The observed enhancement of virucidal efficiency with increasing pH was contrary to earlier findings with chlorine- and ozone-treated rotavirus particles, where efficiencies decreased with increasing alkalinity. Comparison of 99.9% virus inactivation times revealed ozone to be the most effective virucidal agent among these three disinfectants.     

Inactivation of Campylobacter jejuni by chlorine and monochloramine

Campylobacter jejuni and closely related organisms are important bacterial causes of acute diarrheal illness in the United States. Both endemic and epidemic infections have been associated with consuming untreated or improperly treated surface water. We compared susceptibility of three C. jejuni strains and Escherichia coli ATCC 11229 with standard procedures used to disinfect water. Inactivation of bacterial preparations with 0.1 mg of chlorine and 1.0 mg of monochloramine per liter was determined at pH 6 and 8 and at 4 and 25 degrees C. Under virtually every condition tested, each of the three C. jejuni strains was more susceptible than the E. coli control strain, with greater than 99% inactivation after 15 min of contact with 1.0 mg of monochloramine per liter or 5 min of contact with 0.1 mg of free chlorine per liter. Results of experiments in which an antibiotic-containing medium was used suggest that a high proportion of the remaining cells were injured. An animal-passaged C. jejuni strain was as susceptible to chlorine disinfection as were laboratory-passaged strains. These results suggest that disinfection procedures commonly used for treatment of drinking water to remove coliform bacteria are adequate to eliminate C. jejuni and further correlate with the absence of outbreaks associated with properly treated water.     

Inactivation of human and simian rotaviruses by chlorine

The inactivation of simian rotavirus SA-11 and human rotavirus type 2 (Wa) by chlorine was compared at 4 degrees C by using single-particle virus stocks. Both virus types were usually more readily inactivated at pH 6.0 than at pH 8.0 when low chlorine concentrations (0.05 to 0.2 mg/liter) were used. A complete (5 log) reduction of both was obtained within 20 s at all pH levels when chlorine concentrations were increased to 0.3 mg/liter. Slight differences in the chlorine sensitivities of SA-11 and human rotavirus type 2 were noted but were not considered to be significant.     

Inactivation of Campylobacter jejuni by chlorine and monochloramine.

Campylobacter jejuni and closely related organisms are important bacterial causes of acute diarrheal illness in the United States. Both endemic and epidemic infections have been associated with consuming untreated or improperly treated surface water. We compared susceptibility of three C. jejuni strains and Escherichia coli ATCC 11229 with standard procedures used to disinfect water. Inactivation of bacterial preparations with 0.1 mg of chlorine and 1.0 mg of monochloramine per liter was determined at pH 6 and 8 and at 4 and 25 degrees C. Under virtually every condition tested, each of the three C. jejuni strains was more susceptible than the E. coli control strain, with greater than 99% inactivation after 15 min of contact with 1.0 mg of monochloramine per liter or 5 min of contact with 0.1 mg of free chlorine per liter. Results of experiments in which an antibiotic-containing medium was used suggest that a high proportion of the remaining cells were injured. An animal-passaged C. jejuni strain was as susceptible to chlorine disinfection as were laboratory-passaged strains. These results suggest that disinfection procedures commonly used for treatment of drinking water to remove coliform bacteria are adequate to eliminate C. jejuni and further correlate with the absence of outbreaks associated with properly treated water.     

Inactivation of human and simian rotaviruses by chlorine.

The inactivation of simian rotavirus SA-11 and human rotavirus type 2 (Wa) by chlorine was compared at 4 degrees C by using single-particle virus stocks. Both virus types were usually more readily inactivated at pH 6.0 than at pH 8.0 when low chlorine concentrations (0.05 to 0.2 mg/liter) were used. A complete (5 log) reduction of both was obtained within 20 s at all pH levels when chlorine concentrations were increased to 0.3 mg/liter. Slight differences in the chlorine sensitivities of SA-11 and human rotavirus type 2 were noted but were not considered to be significant.     

Mechanisms of inactivation of poliovirus by chlorine dioxide and iodine.

Chlorine dioxide and iodine inactivated poliovirus more efficiently at pH 10.0 than at pH 6.0. Sedimentation analyses of viruses inactivated by chlorine dioxide and iodine at pH 10.9 showed that viral RNA separated from the capsids, resulting in the conversion of virions from 156S structures to 80S particles. The RNAs release from both chlorine dioxide- and iodine-inactivated viruses cosedimented with intact 35S viral RNA. Both chlorine dioxide and iodine reacted with the capsid proteins of poliovirus and changed the pI from pH 7.0 to pH 5.8. However, the mechanisms of inactivation of poliovirus by chlorine dioxide and iodine were found to differ. Iodine inactivated viruses by impairing their ability to adsorb to HeLa cells, whereas chlorine dioxide-inactivated viruses showed a reduced incorporation of [14C]uridine into new viral RNA. We concluded, then, that chlorine dioxide inactivated poliovirus by reacting with the viral RNA and impairing the ability of the viral genome to act as a template for RNA synthesis.     

Effect of chlorine treatment on infectivity of hepatitis A virus

This study examined the effect of chlorine treatment on the infectivity of hepatitis A virus (HAV). Prodromal chimpanzee feces, shown to induce hepatitis in marmosets (Saguinus sp.), was clarified, and the virus was precipitated with 7% polyethylene glycol 6000, harvested, and resuspended. The suspension was layered onto 5 to 30% linear sucrose gradients and centrifuged; the fractions containing HAV were dialyzed, and a 1:500,000 dilution of this preparation induced hepatitis and seroconversion in 2 of 4 marmosets. A 1:50 dilution of this preparation served as inoculum. Untreated inoculum induced overt hepatitis and seroconversion in 100% (5 of 5) of marmosets inoculated intramuscularly. Inoculum treated for various periods (15, 30, or 60 min) with 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg of free residual chlorine per liter induced hepatitis in 14% (2 of 14), 8% (1 of 12), and 10% (1 of 10) of marmosets, respectively, and induced seroconversion in 29, 33, and 10% of the animals. Inoculum treated with 2.0 or 2.5 mg of free residual chlorine per liter was not infectious in marmosets as determined by absence of hepatitis and seroconversion in the 13 animals tested. Thus, treatment levels of 0.5 to 1.5 mg of free residual chlorine per liter inactivated most but not all HAV in the preparation, whereas concentrations of 2.0 and 2.5 mg of free residual chlorine per liter destroyed the infectivity completely. These results suggest that HAV is somewhat more resistant to chlorine than are other enteroviruses.     

Effect of chlorine treatment on infectivity of hepatitis A virus.

This study examined the effect of chlorine treatment on the infectivity of hepatitis A virus (HAV). Prodromal chimpanzee feces, shown to induce hepatitis in marmosets (Saguinus sp.), was clarified, and the virus was precipitated with 7% polyethylene glycol 6000, harvested, and resuspended. The suspension was layered onto 5 to 30% linear sucrose gradients and centrifuged; the fractions containing HAV were dialyzed, and a 1:500,000 dilution of this preparation induced hepatitis and seroconversion in 2 of 4 marmosets. A 1:50 dilution of this preparation served as inoculum. Untreated inoculum induced overt hepatitis and seroconversion in 100% (5 of 5) of marmosets inoculated intramuscularly. Inoculum treated for various periods (15, 30, or 60 min) with 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg of free residual chlorine per liter induced hepatitis in 14% (2 of 14), 8% (1 of 12), and 10% (1 of 10) of marmosets, respectively, and induced seroconversion in 29, 33, and 10% of the animals. Inoculum treated with 2.0 or 2.5 mg of free residual chlorine per liter was not infectious in marmosets as determined by absence of hepatitis and seroconversion in the 13 animals tested. Thus, treatment levels of 0.5 to 1.5 mg of free residual chlorine per liter inactivated most but not all HAV in the preparation, whereas concentrations of 2.0 and 2.5 mg of free residual chlorine per liter destroyed the infectivity completely. These results suggest that HAV is somewhat more resistant to chlorine than are other enteroviruses.     

Ozone inactivation of cell-associated viruses

The inactivation of HEp-2 cell-associated poliovirus (Sabin 1) and coxsackievirus A9 was investigated in three experimental systems, using ozone as a disinfectant. The cell-associated viral samples were adjusted to a turbidity of 5 nephelometric turbidity units. The cell-associated poliovirus and coxsackievirus samples demonstrated survival in a continuous-flow ozonation system at applied ozone dosages of 4.06 and 4.68 mg/liter, respectively, for 30 s. Unassociated viral controls were inactivated by the application of 0.081 mg of ozone per liter for 10 s. Ultrasonic treatment of cell-associated enteric viruses did not increase inactivation of the cell-associated viruses. The batch reactor with a declining ozone residual did not effect total inactivation of either cell-associated enteric virus. These cell-associated viruses were completely inactivated after exposure to ozone in a batch reactor using continuous ozonation. Inactivation of cell-associated poliovirus required a 2-min contact period with an applied ozone dosage of 6.82 mg/liter and a residual ozone concentration of 4.70 mg/liter, whereas the coxsackievirus was completely inactivated after a 5-min exposure to an applied ozone dosage of 4.81 mg/liter with an ozone residual of 2.18 mg/liter. These data indicate that viruses associated with cells or cell fragments are protected from inactivation by ozone concentrations that readily inactivate purified virus. The cell-associated viral samples used in this research contained particles that were 10 to 15 microns in size. Use of a filtration system before ozonation would remove these particles, thereby facilitating inactivation of any remaining viruses associated with cellular fragments.     

Ozone inactivation of cell-associated viruses.

The inactivation of HEp-2 cell-associated poliovirus (Sabin 1) and coxsackievirus A9 was investigated in three experimental systems, using ozone as a disinfectant. The cell-associated viral samples were adjusted to a turbidity of 5 nephelometric turbidity units. The cell-associated poliovirus and coxsackievirus samples demonstrated survival in a continuous-flow ozonation system at applied ozone dosages of 4.06 and 4.68 mg/liter, respectively, for 30 s. Unassociated viral controls were inactivated by the application of 0.081 mg of ozone per liter for 10 s. Ultrasonic treatment of cell-associated enteric viruses did not increase inactivation of the cell-associated viruses. The batch reactor with a declining ozone residual did not effect total inactivation of either cell-associated enteric virus. These cell-associated viruses were completely inactivated after exposure to ozone in a batch reactor using continuous ozonation. Inactivation of cell-associated poliovirus required a 2-min contact period with an applied ozone dosage of 6.82 mg/liter and a residual ozone concentration of 4.70 mg/liter, whereas the coxsackievirus was completely inactivated after a 5-min exposure to an applied ozone dosage of 4.81 mg/liter with an ozone residual of 2.18 mg/liter. These data indicate that viruses associated with cells or cell fragments are protected from inactivation by ozone concentrations that readily inactivate purified virus. The cell-associated viral samples used in this research contained particles that were 10 to 15 microns in size. Use of a filtration system before ozonation would remove these particles, thereby facilitating inactivation of any remaining viruses associated with cellular fragments.     

Study on inactivation of iron bacteria isolated from real drinking water distribution systems by free chlorine and chloramine

To study the inactivation characteristic of iron bacteria isolated from real drinking water distribution systems and investigate the influence of disinfectants, pH and temperature on inactivation process. Two kinds of iron bacteria were isolated from the water phase in distribution systems and identified asAcinetobacter baumannii andMicrobacterium oxydans. Bench-scale study on inactivation of the two kinds of iron bacteria were carried out, with the impact of disinfectants, pH and temperature under different levels concerned. Free chlorine and monochloramine could achieve an inactivation rate of 99.9% on bothA. Baumannii andM. Oxydans with the CT-value of 10 mg/L·min. Free chlorine was more effective than monochloramine with 1∼2 log higher inactivation rate.Microbacterium oxydans was more resistant to disinfectant thanA. Baumannii. High pH enhanced the inactivation of A.baumannii and low temperature availed the inactivation of bothA. Baumannii andMicrobacterium. For iron bacteria in the water, inactivation ratio could not reach 99% when residual chlorine was 0.05 mg/L in drinking water distribution systems according to Standards for Drinking Water Quality.     

Inactivation of biofilm bacteria

The current project was developed to examine inactivation of biofilm bacteria and to characterize the interaction of biocides with pipe surfaces. Unattached bacteria were quite susceptible to the variety of disinfectants tested. Viable bacterial counts were reduced 99% by exposure to 0.08 mg of hypochlorous acid (pH 7.0) per liter (1 to 2 degrees C) for 1 min. For monochloramine, 94 mg/liter was required to kill 99% of the bacteria within 1 min. These results were consistent with those found by other investigators. Biofilm bacteria grown on the surfaces of granular activated carbon particles, metal coupons, or glass microscope slides were 150 to more than 3,000 times more resistant to hypochlorous acid (free chlorine, pH 7.0) than were unattached cells. In contrast, resistance of biofilm bacteria to monochloramine disinfection ranged from 2- to 100-fold more than that of unattached cells. The results suggested that, relative to inactivation of unattached bacteria, monochloramine was better able to penetrate and kill biofilm bacteria than free chlorine. For free chlorine, the data indicated that transport of the disinfectant into the biofilm was a major rate-limiting factor. Because of this phenomenon, increasing the level of free chlorine did not increase disinfection efficiency. Experiments where equal weights of disinfectants were used suggested that the greater penetrating power of monochloramine compensated for its limited disinfection activity. These studies showed that monochloramine was as effective as free chlorine for inactivation of biofilm bacteria. The research provides important insights into strategies for control of biofilm bacteria.     

Inactivation of biofilm bacteria.

The current project was developed to examine inactivation of biofilm bacteria and to characterize the interaction of biocides with pipe surfaces. Unattached bacteria were quite susceptible to the variety of disinfectants tested. Viable bacterial counts were reduced 99% by exposure to 0.08 mg of hypochlorous acid (pH 7.0) per liter (1 to 2 degrees C) for 1 min. For monochloramine, 94 mg/liter was required to kill 99% of the bacteria within 1 min. These results were consistent with those found by other investigators. Biofilm bacteria grown on the surfaces of granular activated carbon particles, metal coupons, or glass microscope slides were 150 to more than 3,000 times more resistant to hypochlorous acid (free chlorine, pH 7.0) than were unattached cells. In contrast, resistance of biofilm bacteria to monochloramine disinfection ranged from 2- to 100-fold more than that of unattached cells. The results suggested that, relative to inactivation of unattached bacteria, monochloramine was better able to penetrate and kill biofilm bacteria than free chlorine. For free chlorine, the data indicated that transport of the disinfectant into the biofilm was a major rate-limiting factor. Because of this phenomenon, increasing the level of free chlorine did not increase disinfection efficiency. Experiments where equal weights of disinfectants were used suggested that the greater penetrating power of monochloramine compensated for its limited disinfection activity. These studies showed that monochloramine was as effective as free chlorine for inactivation of biofilm bacteria. The research provides important insights into strategies for control of biofilm bacteria.     

Use of integrated cell culture-PCR to evaluate the effectiveness of poliovirus inactivation by chlorine

Current standards, based on cell culture assay, indicate that poliovirus is inactivated by 0.5 mg of free chlorine per liter after 2 min; however, integrated cell culture-PCR detected viruses for up to 8 min of exposure to the same chlorine concentration, requiring 10 min for complete inactivation. Thus, the contact time for chlorine disinfection of poliovirus is up to five times greater than previously thought.