Enteric Viruses and Free-Living Amoebae: Protozoa as Potential Reservoirs and Transport Vessels for human Norovirus and Adenovirus
Recent Publication
Researchers from the Department of Water Quality and Health at KL have discovered that certain gastrointestinal viruses such as noroviruses and adenoviruses can survive in free-living amoebae. These amoebae are found in many aquatic environments - in rivers, lakes and also in technical facilities. The viruses remain stable there for a surprisingly long time and are not degraded as usual. In some cases, they even show signs of activity, which is important for public health. This means that amoebae could be a kind of shelter or means of transport for these viruses. This could allow viruses to remain in the water for longer and spread more easily.
Leifels, M., Dey, R., Wiedemeyer, A., Cheng, D., Kolm, C., Wu, F., Sirikanchana, K., Farnleitner, A., & Ashbolt, N. J. (2025). Enteric Viruses and Free-Living Amoebae: Protozoa as Potential Reservoirs and Transport Vessels for Human Norovirus and Adenovirus. Water & Ecology , 2025(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wateco.2025.100018
Dr. Mats Leifels
Scientific Staff (PostDoc)
Department of Water Quality and Health
Ass. Prof. DI Dr. Claudia Kolm Bakk
Scientific Staff (PostDoc)
Department of Water Quality and Health
Univ.-Prof. PD Dr. Andreas Farnleitner MSc
Head of
Department of Water Quality and Health