Rapid identification and differentiation of agricultural faecal contamination sources using multiplex PCR

C. Baker-Austin*, J. Morris, J. A. Lowther, R. Rangdale, D. N. Lees

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims: To develop a quick, easy-to-use, robust and sensitive multiplex PCR assay to detect common sources of agricultural faecal contamination using a combination of bacterial and eukaryote-specific PCR targets. Method and Results: A novel multiplex PCR method was developed that utilizes primers specific for a conserved region of the eukaryote cytochrome-B gene as well as a universal 16S rRNA and the E. coli-specific uidA gene. This multiplex PCR assay was capable of identifying faecal amendments from pig, sheep, cow and goat sources in 24/30 (80%) of amended water samples. Conclusions: The method was capable of accurately identifying common agricultural sources. Significance and Impact of the study: The procedure described here is simple, rapid (<5 h) and can be used as a first step in microbial source tracking studies, particularly where agricultural faecal contamination is suspected.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)529-532
Number of pages4
JournalLetters in Applied Microbiology
Volume49
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Faecal contamination
  • Microbial source-tracking
  • Mitochondrial DNA
  • Multiplex PCR

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