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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Foodborne Pathogen Screening Using Magneto-fluorescent Nanosensor: Rapid Detection of E. Coli O157:H7
Published on: September 17, 2017
Rapid detection of Escherichia coli and enterococci in recreational water using an immunomagnetic
R N Bushon1, A M Brady, C A Likirdopulos
1U.S. Geological Survey, Ohio Water Science Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
Aims:
The aim of this study was to examine a rapid method for detecting Escherichia coli and enterococci in recreational water.
Methods And Results:
Water samples were assayed for E. coli and enterococci by traditional and immunomagnetic separation/adenosine triphosphate (IMS/ATP) methods. Three sample treatments were evaluated for the IMS/ATP method: double filtration, single filtration, and direct analysis. Pearson's correlation analysis showed strong, significant, linear relations between IMS/ATP and traditional methods for all sample treatments; strongest linear correlations were with the direct analysis (r = 0.62 and 0.77 for E. coli and enterococci, respectively). Additionally, simple linear regression was used to estimate bacteria concentrations as a function of IMS/ATP results. The correct classification of water-quality criteria was 67% for E. coli and 80% for enterococci.
Conclusions:
The IMS/ATP method is a viable alternative to traditional methods for faecal-indicator bacteria.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
The IMS/ATP method addresses critical public health needs for the rapid detection of faecal-indicator contamination and has potential for satisfying US legislative mandates requiring methods to detect bathing water contamination in 2 h or less. Moreover, IMS/ATP equipment is considerably less costly and more portable than that for molecular methods, making the method suitable for field applications.
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