title: A liquid, colorimetric presence-absence coliphage detection method.
abstract: A liquid, colorimetric presence-absence coliphage detection method based on the induction of beta-galactosidase by Escherichia coli is described. The release of beta-galactosidase in the medium due to lytic cell infections by coliphages permits the hydrolysis of a yellow chromogenic substrate that develops into a distinct red coliphage positive sample, while a coliphage negative sample remains yellow. This method has proven to be rapid, simpler to perform than an agar medium assay, easy to read and interpret, inexpensive, and highly sensitive.
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061-0404.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ijzerman
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Falkinham
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hagedorn
mesh_terms: D002733:Chlorophenols; D003090:Coliphages / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005697:Galactosides; D007544:Isopropyl Thiogalactoside / Q000494:pharmacology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012722:Sewage; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D002733:Chlorophenols; D005697:Galactosides; D012722:Sewage; D007544:Isopropyl Thiogalactoside; C074184:chlorophenol red galactopyranoside; D001616:beta-Galactosidase