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Aims: The aims of this study were to establish an integrated culture‐polymerase chain reaction (C‐PCR) method for detection of enteric viruses in environmental samples, and to evaluate it for sensitivity, speed and provision of virus infectivity data.

Methods and Results: C‐PCR, direct reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR, PCR and plaque assay methods were used to detect enteroviruses and adenoviruses in seeded and naturally contaminated environmental samples. Using C‐PCR, infectious enterovirus presence was confirmed in 3 d and adenovirus presence in 5 d, compared with up to 10 d required by conventional cell culture methods.

Conclusions: C‐PCR was the preferred method for detection of enteric viruses in environmental samples containing high viral concentrations. It was less successful for samples with low viral concentrations or containing toxic materials or inhibitors …