RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Hamza, Ibrahim Ahmed A1 Jurzik, Lars A1 Wilhelm, Michael A1 Überla, KlausYR 2009 T1 Detection and quantification of human bocavirus in river water JF Journal of General Virology, VO 90 IS 11 SP 2634 OP 2637 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.013557-0 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2099, AB Human bocavirus (HBoV) was recently discovered in children with respiratory-tract infection and has been detected frequently in faecal specimens from children with gastroenteritis. The present study addresses for the first time, to our knowledge, the prevalence of HBoV in river water. By using a newly developed real-time PCR targeting a conserved region of the NP1 gene of HBoV, virus levels in water samples were determined. Moreover, partial sequence analysis of the NP1 gene of HBoV and comparative phylogenetic analysis were performed. HBoV was detected in 40.8 % of collected water samples. The virus level ranged between 3×101 and 2×103 genome equivalents l−1. Therefore, the present study suggests that river water could play a role in the spread of HBoV. However, further work should be done to determine the actual risk of infection via surface water., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/vir.0.013557-0