Selecting a sensitive bacteriophage assay for evaluation of a prototype water recycling system

A rapid, simple, and direct (RSD) assay of eluate from filter concentration was developed to enumerate low numbers of MS2 bacteriophage, used as a surrogate for enteric viruses, from samples collected from a prototype-sized water recycling system. The RSD assay utilized a 50-ml eluate volume in a modified single-layer assay, neutralizing eluate pH by buffered, double-strength agar. The RSD assay developed was simpler and minimized sample-handling steps compared with another published method. The RSD assay method showed greater sensitivity than the other published method for recovering phage from filter eluate while avoiding pH shifts, which can inactivate phage. Grant numbers: NAGW 2356.