Enterophages, a group of phages infecting Enterococcus faecalis, and their potential as alternate indicators of human faecal contamination

Water Science and Technology : a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research
N BonillaGary A Toranzos

Abstract

We have developed a method for the detection of viruses in environmental samples that we have called enterophages, that specifically infect Enterococcus faecalis. This method has allowed us to determine the prevalence and to study the ecology of this group of phages. The enterophages replicate at 37 degrees C, and at 41 degrees C. The presence of NaN(3) in the media inhibits the growth of background microbiota and allows an accurate, specific and rapid detection of these viruses. Enterophages were present in raw domestic sewage at lower concentrations (average 1.8 x 10(2) PFU/100 mL) than those of coliphages (average 1.7 x 10(5) PFU/100 mL). Phages were characterised by transmission electron microscopy showing icosahedral capsids, some with non-contractile tails as well as icosahedral non-tailed capsids. Different isolates had capsid sizes ranging from 20 nm to about 75 nm in diameter. These data describe a new group of phages that may serve as alternate indicators of human faecal pollution, especially in recreational waters. The ecology of these enterophages indicates that these may be strictly of human origin.

Citations

Nov 4, 2011·Environmental Science & Technology·Sarah E PurnellHuw D Taylor
May 23, 2012·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Tasha M Santiago-RodriguezGary A Toranzos
Dec 4, 2012·Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR·Muruleedhara N ByappanahalliValerie J Harwood
Mar 4, 2014·Water Research·Joan JofreMaite Muniesa
Mar 18, 2017·Letters in Applied Microbiology·B R McMinnA Korajkic
Jan 21, 2017·Genome Announcements·Tasha M Santiago-RodriguezGary A Toranzos
Oct 16, 2016·Journal of Water and Health·Tasha M Santiago-RodriguezJavier A Arce-Nazario
Feb 28, 2019·Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part A, Toxic/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering·Klaudiusz GrübelMiroslav Černík
May 23, 2018·Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology·Namfon BooncharoenKwanrawee Sirikanchana
Jul 3, 2021·Viruses·Daniel Toribio-AvedilloLorena Rodríguez-Rubio
Jun 22, 2021·Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·Eleanor M TownsendEleanor Jameson
Aug 10, 2021·Journal of Bacteriology·Cydney N JohnsonAnushila Chatterjee

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