Molecular detection of viable bacterial pathogens in water by ratiometric pre-rRNA analysis

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2010 Feb;76(3):960-2. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01810-09. Epub 2009 Nov 30.

Abstract

Ratiometric pre-rRNA analysis (RPA) detects the replenishment of rRNA precursors that occurs rapidly upon nutritional stimulation of bacterial cells. In contrast to DNA detection by PCR, RPA distinguishes viable from inactivated bacteria. It exhibits promise as a molecular viability test for pathogens in water and other environmental samples.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Biodiversity
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Culture Media
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis
  • DNA, Ribosomal / analysis
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Microbial Viability / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA Precursors / analysis*
  • RNA, Bacterial / analysis
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal / analysis*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Water Microbiology*

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA Precursors
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S