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REAL-TIME PCR METHOD TO DETECT ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS IN WATER
Citation:
Santo Domingo, J, S D. Siefring, AND R A. Haugland. REAL-TIME PCR METHOD TO DETECT ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS IN WATER. BIOTECHNOLOGY LETTERS 25(3):261-265, (2003).
Impact/Purpose:
1) Develop rapid TaqMan PCR methods for the detection and quantification of total enterococci and specific groups or species of Enterococcous in water and determine, in a laboratory setting, the efficacy of the methods. 2) Use TaqMan methods to determine the occurrence of total and specific enterococci groups in fresh and marine recreational water samples and compare results with those of standard culture based methods.
Description:
A 16S rDNA real-time PCR method was developed to detect Enterococcus faecalis in water samples. The dynamic range for cell detection spanned five logs and the detection limit was determined to be 6 cfu/reaction. The assay was capable of detecting E. faecalis cells added to biofilms from a simulator of a water distribution system and in freshwater samples. Nucleic acid extraction was not required, permitting the detection of E. faecalis cells in less than 3 h.