E. coli CB390: An alternative E. coli host for simultaneous detection of somatic and F+ coliphage viruses in reclaimed and other waters

Abstract

Somatic and F+ coliphages have been identified and validated as virus indicators of fecal contamination in ground water by US EPA and more recently they are being considered for use in managing both marine and fresh recreational water and wastewater discharges. Studies documenting their usefulness as viral indicator in reclaimed water sources in the USA are limited. However, simultaneous detection of both somatic and F+ coliphages on a single E. coli host is preferred over their separate analysis because both are abundant in wastewater, they may respond differently to wastewater reclamation treatment processes, and separate analysis for each group in separate host bacteria adds complexity and cost. In this study, a new total coliphage host (E. coli CB390, CECT9198) was evaluated for its ability to detect somatic, F+ coliphages, and total coliphages by US EPA Methods 1601 and 1602. No statistical difference was found in the detection coliphages in spiked phosphate buffered saline samples or in natural waters; additionally, no statistical difference was found between the detection of total coliphages by Methods 1601 and 1602.

Keywords: Coliphage; Reclaimed water; Viral indicators.