Grantee Research Project Results

Molecular Detection and Environmental Survey of Vegetative and Coccoid Helicobacter pylori

EPA Grant Number: R828037
Title: Molecular Detection and Environmental Survey of Vegetative and Coccoid Helicobacter pylori
Investigators: Shahamat, Manouchehr , Bradley, Brian , Robb, Frank , Sowers, Kevin , Levin, M.
Current Investigators: Shahamat, Manouchehr , Gonzalez, Juan M , Bradley, Brian , Pavlick, Christine , Maeder, Dennis , Robb, Frank , Hind, John , Watts, Joy , Sowers, Kevin , Alavi, Mohammad
Institution: University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: May 15, 2000 through May 14, 2003
Project Amount: $522,145
RFA: Drinking Water (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Water

Description:

The basic goals of this research proposal are to validate an accurate and sensitive molecular and/or immunodiagnostic method for rapid detection of H. pylori in both the culturable and in coccoid (i.e., VNC, viable, not culturable) states in environmental samples and examine the relationship between H. pylori and indicators of fecal pollution. This ability is crucial for preventing underestimation of the number of bacteria in samples, for developing epidemiological evidence, and for understanding the ecological and public health significance.

Approach:

Phase 1: Immunological assay

Produce monoclonal antibodies specific to the helical and coccoid form of H. pylori.

Phase 2: Evaluate PCR and immunodiagnostic techniques

Optimize a PCR based method using highly specific oligonucleotide probes for detection of vegetative as well as coccoid forms in environmental samples.
Optimize and validate an immunodiagnostic protocol for rapid detection of the coccoid form in environmental samples.

Phase 3: Environmental survey

Examine the relationship between H. pylori and indicators of fecal contamination and initiate studies to identify the habitat of the organism in environmental samples.

Expected Results:

We propose to: (1) produce a monoclonal antibody specific to H. pylori and develop an immunodiagnostic method for rapid detection of the bacterium in coccoid form; (2) develop highly specific PCR-based method for detection of H. pylori in the vegetative and coccoid forms in clinical and environmental samples; and (3) develop an oligonucleotide probe for detection of H. pylori in environmental samples, especially in coccoid form.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 7 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

environment, H. pylori, evaluation, detection, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Health Risk Assessment, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology, Drinking Water, microbial contamination, coccoid heliobacter pylori, treatment, microbial risk assessment, fecal contamination, monitoring, environmental survey, exposure, immunological assay, molecular detection, bacteria, detection, public health, olgonucleotide

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.