Work

Host Specificity and Sensitivity of Established and Novel Sewage-Associated Marker Genes in Human and Nonhuman Fecal Samples

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: Large financial investments are required to remediate fecal contamination sources in waterways, and accurate results from field studies are crucial to build confidence in MST approaches. Host specificity and sensitivity are two main performance characteristics for consideration when choosing MST assays. Ongoing efforts for marker assay validation will improve interpretation of results and could shed light on patterns of occurrence in nontarget hosts that might explain the underlying drivers of cross-reaction of certain markers. For field applications, caution should be taken to choose appropriate MST marker genes and assays based on available host specificity and sensitivity data and background knowledge of the contaminating sources in the study area. Since many waterborne pathogens are viruses, employing both viral and bacterial markers in investigations could provide insight into contamination dynamics and ecological behavior in the environment. Therefore, combined usage of marker assays is recommended for more accurate and informative sewage contamination detection and fecal source resolution.

Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology

DOI: 10.1128/aem.00641-19

Authors: Warish Ahmed, Pradip Gyawali, Shuchen Feng, Sandra L. McLellan

Institutions: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, CSIRO Land and Water, New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

Language: English

Topic: Fecal contamination and water quality

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W2944587382