Rapid detection of pathogenic micro-organisms in water using flow cytometry
Research partner:
EAWAG, Environmental microbiology section
http://www.eawag.ch/research/umik/gruppen/twm/d_index.html
A rapid detection method for pathogenic micro-organisms based on immunological staining and flow cytometric detection is currently being developed. The aim of the project is to establish a transportable microbial analysis method, which should allow measurements in remote areas under field conditions.
Project aim
Transportable method to analyse drinking water
Current method |
Development of new complementary methods |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Traditional microbiology: | Flow cytometry: |
| - Results in 18-48 hours | - Results in 60-minutes |
| - Limited to E. coli and coliform bacilli | - Detection of a wide spectrum of bacteria and protozoans |
The method includes an enrichment step starting from one litre of water down to 10 ml by filtration and re-suspension followed by a further enrichment and purification step with immunomagnetic beads. The micro-organisms are subsequently stained with specific fluorescent surface antibodies and finally flow cytometrically detected.
Overview of rapid detection method
First results indicate that the method might allow detection of bacterial pathogens such as Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella sp. and Legionella pneumophila in 90 minutes with a detection limit of around 1000 cells per litre of water.