title: A fluorescence-based method coupled with Disruptor filtration for rapid detection of F + RNA phages.
abstract: F + RNA phages are commonly used as indicators of faecal contamination. This study evaluated a fluorescent method for the detection of F + RNA phages based on testing the phage-mediated release of β-galactosidase. Factors that may potentially interfere with phage detection were investigated, and the assay was optimized. Low numbers of F + RNA phages were detected by the fluorescent method coupled with a concentration step using a Disruptor filter. The fluorescent method, when used alone, detected 1 log PFU ml(-1) of F+RNA phages within 3 h, while 0.01 PFU ml(-1) was detected within 5 h when the method was combined with the concentration step. This is the first time to combine a fluorescent method with a filtration step by the use of Disruptor filter for rapid detection of low numbers of F + RNA phages, and this method can be adapted to detect other lytic phages infecting host cells that produce measurable enzyme activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A fluorescent method coupled with Disruptor filtration was evaluated for the first time to rapidly detect low numbers of F + RNA phages. Rapid detection of F + RNA phages provides an effective way to monitor faecal contamination of environmental water and thus helps prevent contamination of fresh produce via irrigation.
authors.affiliation: CRIFS, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000821:virology*; D005243:Feces; D005374:Filtration; D005453:Fluorescence; D017909:Levivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012317:RNA Phages / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D045483:Rivers / Q000821:virology; D012722:Sewage / Q000821:virology; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*; D062065:Wastewater / Q000821:virology; D014871:Water Microbiology; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage; D062065:Wastewater; D001616:beta-Galactosidase
keywords: bacteriophages; detection; microbial contamination