SHORT COMMUNICATION Factors that Can Interfere with Virus Concentration from Wastewater when Using Zeta Plus 60S Filter Membranes

Zeta plus filter membranes (ZP60S) have been shown to be efficient for rotavirus concentration from wastewater and for the reduction of cytotoxicity for cell cultures. Recently a variability in both proper-ties was observed. In view of the low costs and the high virus recovery rates obtained in the past, we re-evaluated the application of ZP60S filter membranes for virus concentration from environmental samples. Some factors that could interfere with the concentration strategy using ZP60S were also considered and assessed including the type of water to be filtered and the possible release of toxic substances from the membrane matrix during filtration. Key words: rotavirus- cytotoxicity- positive charged membranes The virus adsorption-elution (Viradel) tech-nique using charged membranes, is still the most efficient method for concentration of enteric vi-ruses from waters. For rotavirus concentration, the use of posi-tively charged filter membranes such as Zeta Plus (AMF Cuno) and EKS (Seitz) has been the mos