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Human Fecal Source Identification with Real-Time Quantitative PCR

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Environmental Microbiology

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1096))

Abstract

Waterborne diseases represent a significant public health risk worldwide and can originate from contact with water contaminated with human fecal material. We describe a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) method that targets a genetic marker of the human-associated Bacteroides dorei for identification of human fecal pollution in ambient water samples. The following protocol includes water sample collection, filtration, DNA isolation with a sample processing control, qPCR amplification with an internal amplification control, and quality control data analysis.

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Acknowledgement

The US Environmental Protection Agency, through its Office of Research and Development, funded and managed the research described herein. It has been subjected to the Agency’s peer and administrative review and has been approved for external publication. Any opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official positions and policies of the US EPA. Any mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

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Shanks, O.C., Peed, L., Sivaganesan, M., Haugland, R.A., Chern, E.C. (2014). Human Fecal Source Identification with Real-Time Quantitative PCR. In: Paulsen, I., Holmes, A. (eds) Environmental Microbiology. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1096. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-712-9_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-712-9_7

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-711-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-712-9

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