Investigation of transcription-mediated amplification as a rapid test method for Enterococci in recreational water

Growth-based methods for detecting faecal contamination of recreational water require at least 24 hours to yield results, which can delay detection, action and remediation, if required. Such delays can put human health at risk while closing beaches inappropriately can cause unnecessary economic losses. There is a requirement for more rapid methods to facilitate the management of pollution events. In this study, undertaken in our respective laboratories, a molecular assay based on transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) technology was compared with established growth-based methods. The assays were used to quantitate enterococcal faecal indicator bacteria (relative to the legislative threshold of 104 colony forming units/100 mL) in 138 water samples collected from 41 different locations, representative of different recreational water types routinely sampled in Southern California. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the TMA assay for the detection of Enterococcus species in recreational water as a rapid alternative to traditional methods.