Male-specific RNA coliphages detected by plaque assay and RT-PCR in tropical river waters and animal fecal matter.
Male-specific RNA coliphages (FRNA) have been recommended as indicators of fecal contamination and of the virological quality of water. In this study, 16 river water and 183 animal fecal samples were examined for the presence of FRNA coliphages by a plaque assay using Salmonella typhimurium WG49 and WG25 to differentiate between male-specific and somatic phages, a RNase spot test to differentiate between DNA and RNA phages and a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the specific identification of FRNA phages. The overall recovery rate for F-specific coliphages was 8.0%. (4.4% from animal fecal matter and 50% from river water samples). Plaque counts were generally low (< 6 x 10(2) pfu per g feces or ml water), with FRNA (6.5%) and Male-specific DNA coliphages (FDNA) (7.0%) phages occurring at almost equal frequencies. The RT-PCR was positive in all FRNA plaques and was able to identify FRNA phages in mixed populations of FRNA, FDNA and somatic phages.
Yee
Stacey Yong Foong
SY
School of Arts and Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. stacey.yong@artsci.monash.edu.my
Fong
Ngeow Yun
NY
Fong
Gan Teck
GT
Tak
Ong Jen
OJ
Hui
Gan Teck
GT
Su Ming
Yong
Y
D000818:Animals; D001435:Bacteriophages; D002645:Chickens; D003090:Coliphages / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D012328:RNA Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000821:virology*; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay / Q000379:methods; D014871:Water Microbiology
D012722:Sewage