title: Biofilms for Monitoring Presence of Microsporidia in Environmental Water.
abstract: The development of molecular methodologies for targeting pathogens such as the Microsporidia has greatly improved our monitoring capabilities and initiatives. This study analyzed samples collected from five locations in Pensacola, Florida, USA for the presence of Microsporidian pathogens. To circumvent various impediments associated with water collection and filtration, we utilized biofilms as sentinels for detection of Microsporidia. We implemented membrane-dissolution and sample purification in a single confined step followed by real-time PCR to confirm pathogen presence. The results of this study demonstrate that microsporidia are present in environmental water sites in the Florida panhandle and that biofilms may serve as another alternative mode to circumvent filtration methods for their detection.
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation, University of West Florida, 11,000 University Parkway, Bldg 58, Pensacola, Florida, 32514.
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.affiliation: Virginia Institute of Marine Science Eastern Shore Laboratory, 40 Atlantic Avenue, Wachapreague, Virginia, 23480.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Snyder
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005374:Filtration; D005431:Florida; D016814:Microsporidia / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D060753:Water Quality
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal
keywords: 
  Enterocytozoon bieneusi
  ; Encephalitozoon spp.; real-time PCR