Virus Analysis

Virus Analysis

Analytical Services, Inc. (ASI) offers a wide range of virus testing capabilities to detect, enumerate and/or determine viral infectivity as required.

ASI routinely receives samples of various matrices from clients throughout the U.S. for viral analyses, including water, wastewater, sediments and biosolids.  Projects include:

  • Routine public water supply monitoring
  • Groundwater investigations / research
  • Recreational water / Receiving water monitoring
  • Wastewater discharge
  • Reclaimed water surveillance
  • Stormwater research and pilot plant assessment
  • Biosolids monitoring for 503 compliance
  • Excavation / remediation projects where sewage contamination has raised pathogen concerns 

Depending on project requirements, water samples may be collected as bulks or by on-site filtration using an electro-positive filter or dead-end ultra filter (DEUF, ASI can provide the filter, sampling unit, and instructions).  Our standard viral screen uses three cell lines and real-time PCR to detect adenovirus 40/41 and enteroviruses (Coxsackie virus, echovirus and poliovirus as a group).  In addition, the procedure can be modified to include quantification and/or infectivity as necessary.  For special projects, the target viruses can be changed to meet the data objectives (e.g., Norovirus, Hepatitis A virus, etc.). 

Qualifications - ASI provides EPA Method 1615 (cell culture and PCR), traditional cell culture, and integrated cell culture / quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ICC/qPCR) to screen environmental samples for enteric viruses for clients throughout the United States.  ASI was the first laboratory in the U.S. to be licensed by Perkin-Elmer Corporation and Roche Molecular Systems to perform PCR on commercial environmental samples.

For more information, please click Here for ASI’s technical document regarding Viruses or contact our Clients Services team