Grantee Research Project Results
Rapidly Measured Indicators of Waterborne Pathogens
EPA Grant Number: R834789Title: Rapidly Measured Indicators of Waterborne Pathogens
Investigators: Dorevitch, Samuel , Bushon, Rebecca N , Lin, King-Teh , Liu, Li , Scheff, Peter , Cali, Salvatore
Institution: University of Illinois at Chicago , MycoMetrics , USGS Biological Resources Division
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: February 1, 2011 through January 31, 2014 (Extended to January 31, 2015)
Project Amount: $499,831
RFA: Exploring Linkages Between Health Outcomes and Environmental Hazards, Exposures, and Interventions for Public Health Tracking and Risk Management (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health
Description:
Current tests for indicators of waterborne pathogens require 24 hours to produce results. Public health responses to the results of such tests, such as beach closures, are often inaccurate because of changes in water quality during the 24-hour delay. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method may soon become part of water monitoring programs in order to produce same-day results. It is not known whether indicators measured by qPCR predict pathogen presence in surface waters. The research team has collected 500 water samples from lakes, rivers, and channels throughout the Chicago area during the summer of 2009. These samples are being analyzed for waterborne pathogens, and for enterococci by qPCR. We propose conducting qPCR analysis of three promising indicators in 500 archived samples linked to the pathogen samples.
Objective:
The primary objectives of this study are 1) to analyze 500 archived water samples for new indicators by qPCR 2) to compare four rapidly measured microbes as indicators of pathogen presence, 3) to identify thresholds for the rapid indicators that maximize the accurate prediction of pathogen presence, and 4) to implement a beach monitoring program using rapidly measuring indicators, and to compare beach management decisions that result for the use conventional and the rapidly measured pathogen indicators.
Approach:
The experimental approach for Phase I of the study includes performing qPCR analyses for three promising indicator bacteria in DNA extracted from the 500 samples. Results of the new qPCR results will be merged into an existing database of waterborne pathogens and indicators. Threshold values of each rapidly measured indicator will be established based on the likelihood of pathogen presence. In Phase II of the study, a we will analyze indicators conventionally and using two rapid methods: qPCR and immunomagnetic separation/adenosine triphosphate. Beach water will be collected twice daily, and analyzed immediately. Threshold values for the rapid measures of the indicators established in Phase I of the study will be used to determine the need for swimming advisories.
Expected Results:
This research addresses the link between indicators and hazards, and between indicators and public health action. We will compare the ability of rapidly and conventionally measured indicator bacteria to predict the presence of pathogens in recreational waters. We will describe the changes in public health actions that result from the new, rapid, pathogen indicators.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 11 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 4 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Scientific disciplines: biology (microbiology); Geographic areas: IL, Great Lakes, Region V,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.