title: CapE (capture, amplify, extract): A rapid method for detection of low level contamination of water with Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC).
abstract: Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) is associated with a wide spectrum of disease from mild self-limiting diarrhoea to haemolytic uremic syndrome. Contaminated drinking water is accepted as an important route of transmission in Ireland as elsewhere however established methods for detection of VTEC in drinking water have limitations. We describe a sensitive and rapid method for detection of VTEC from large volumes (20 to 30L) of drinking water based on filtration, enrichment culture of filters and real-time PCR detection of VTEC virulence and O antigen determinants from enrichments. The method has potential applications for other waterborne pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland; Centre for Health from Environment, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. Electronic address: dearbhaile.morris@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: Dearbháile
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Siobhán
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.affiliation: National Federation of Group Water Schemes, Monaghan, Ireland.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carney
authors.affiliation: National Federation of Group Water Schemes, Monaghan, Ireland.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: MacDomhnaill
authors.affiliation: Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland; Centre for Health from Environment, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cormican
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000379:methods*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D007494:Ireland; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D054323:Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D060766:Drinking Water; D037521:Virulence Factors
keywords: Filtration; Real time PCR; Verocytotoxigenic E. coli; Water