The detection of Bifidobacterium adolescentis by colony hybridization as an indicator of human faecal pollution.
OBJECTIVE
To develop an improved method for the detection of Bifidobacterium adolescentis as an indicator of human faecal pollution.


RESULTS
Bifidobacterium medium (BFM) was identified as the optimal medium for the recovery of bifidobacteria from human effluent. Dilutions of faeces and effluent from both humans and animals were filtered, grown on BFM and human specific B. adolescentis identified via colony hybridization with a digoxigenin (DIG)-labelled oligonucleotide probe.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of BFM with colony probing allows the detection of B. adolescentis, a specific indicator of human faecal pollution.


CONCLUSIONS
It is now technically feasible to use B. adolescentis as indicators of human faecal pollution, and studies to examine the survival and appropriateness of bifidobacteria in this role can be initiated.
Lynch
P A
PA
Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) Ltd., Christchurch Science Centre, PO Box 29-181, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Gilpin
B J
BJ
Sinton
L W
LW
Savill
M G
MG
D000818:Animals; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002417:Cattle; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003470:Culture Media; D004076:Digoxigenin; D004285:Dogs; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology*; D014876:Water Pollution
D003470:Culture Media; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012722:Sewage; D004076:Digoxigenin