Detection of somatic coliphages through a bioluminescence assay measuring phage mediated release of adenylate kinase and adenosine 5'-triphosphate.
The feasibility of detecting somatic coliphages by phage infection of Escherichia coli WG5 and measurement of phage propagation by the lysis mediated release of the bacterial host adenylate kinase (AK) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) detected by a bioluminescent signal was evaluated. After 2h of incubation, all cultures infected with reference bacteriophage phiX174 showed a significant increase in the bioluminescent signal, even with number of phages as low as less of 10 plaque forming units (PFU). Naturally occurring somatic coliphages ensured a significant bioluminescent signal after 3h of infection when >10 PFU were inoculated. These results indicate that an easy and reliable method to detect low numbers of coliphages in less than 3h is feasible.
Guzmán Luna
Carolina
C
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 645 Diagonal Avenue, Barcelona, Spain. caguzlun@uis.edu.co
Costán-Longares
Ana
A
Lucena
Francisco
F
Jofre
Joan
J
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis*; D000263:Adenylate Kinase / Q000032:analysis*; D010584:Bacteriophage phi X 174 / Q000254:growth & development*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000821:virology*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D000263:Adenylate Kinase