Citation:

Griffin, D., J. Lisle, D. Feldhake, AND E. Silvestri. Colony-Forming Unit Spreadplate Assay versus Liquid Culture Enrichment-Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for the Detection of Bacillus Endospores in Soils. Geosciences. MDPI, Basel, Switzerland, 10(1):5, (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10010005

Impact/Purpose:

Following a wide-area accidental or intentional release of B. anthracis into the environment, detection of B. anthracis in various matrices, including soil, might be needed to characterize the contamination. However, detection of B. anthracis from soil samples remains a difficult task as chemical components, debris, and background biological impurities in soil might impeded detection. An enrichment polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was investigated as a potential method to overcome potential inhibition for soil samples containing a surrogate for B. anthracis. The enrichment-PCR produced an ~2-log increase in sensitivity, required less time to completion, and was cost comparable to a previously developed processing/culture method that it was compared to. The enrichment-PCR assay could be useful to individuals involved in remediation efforts for an accidental or intentional B. anthracis contamination and in-particular, for situations where low-levels of viable spores need to be detected.

Description:

This peer reviewed journal article summarizes research on comparison of an enrichment-PCR assay compared to a processing protocol for soil samples potentially contaminated with Bacillus anthracis

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