Development and application of new rapid diagnostic methods for monitoring faecal contamination in coastal marine and freshwater environments

Summary

This project aimed at the development of a new method for the diagnostic detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli (used as indicator species for faecal contamination) in aquatic samples. The new method involved detection of E. coli using a molecular probe specific for E. coli, followed by quantification of the cell concentration by automated flow cytometry (AFC). Furthermore, a parallel study was planned to compare the results obtained from the new method with those from the current statutory microbiological method for E. coli enumeration (i.e. isolation of E. coli on selective media followed by colony counting).

Publication Reference No.

10616

Publication date

01 September 2007