Molecular detection and genotyping of male-specific coliphages by reverse transcription-PCR and reverse line blot hybridization

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2004 Oct;70(10):5996-6004. doi: 10.1128/AEM.70.10.5996-6004.2004.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been increased interest in the use of male-specific or F+ coliphages as indicators of microbial inputs to source waters. Sero- or genotyping of these coliphages can also be used for microbial source tracking (MST). Among the male-specific coliphages, the F+ RNA (FRNA) viruses are well studied, while little is known about the F+ DNA (FDNA) viruses. We have developed a reverse line blot hybridization (RLB) assay which allows for the simultaneous detection and genotyping of both FRNA as well as FDNA coliphages. These assays included a novel generic duplex reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay for FRNA viruses as well as a generic PCR for FDNA viruses. The RT-PCR assays were validated by using 190 field and prototype strains. Subsequent DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of RT-PCR products revealed the classification of six different FRNA clusters, including the well-established subgroups I through IV, and three different FDNA clusters, including one (CH) not previously described. Within the leviviruses, a potentially new subgroup (called JS) including strains having more than 40% nucleotide sequence diversity with the known levivirus subgroups (MS2 and GA) was identified. We designed subgroup-specific oligonucleotides that were able to genotype all nine (six FRNA, three FDNA) different clusters. Application of the method to a panel of 351 enriched phage samples from animal feces and wastewater, including known prototype strains (MS2, GA, Q beta, M11, FI, and SP for FRNA and M13, f1, and fd for FDNA), resulted in successful genotyping of 348 (99%) of the samples. In summary, we developed a novel method for standardized genotyping of F+ coliphages as a useful tool for large-scale MST studies.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Coliphages / classification
  • Coliphages / genetics*
  • Coliphages / isolation & purification
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Feces / virology
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Inoviridae / classification
  • Inoviridae / genetics
  • Inoviridae / isolation & purification
  • Leviviridae / classification
  • Leviviridae / genetics
  • Leviviridae / isolation & purification
  • Phylogeny
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Water Microbiology

Substances

  • DNA, Viral