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Flow Virometry: A Fluorescence-Based Approach to Enumerate Bacteriophages in Liquid Samples.
Elena A Dlusskaya1, Rafik Dey2
1Faculty of Arts, Business & Science, University College of the North, The Pas, MB, Canada. edlusskaya@ucn.ca.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|November 15, 2023
Summary
Accurate virus detection in water using flow cytometry (virometry) requires strict controls. This protocol enhances virometry by preventing false positives from non-viral particles, ensuring reliable virus counts.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Analytical chemistry
Background:
- Flow cytometry, or virometry, is a powerful technique for detecting and counting viruses in water.
- Accurate virometry relies on rigorous controls and calibrators to ensure data quality.
- Without proper controls, fluorescent dyes can lead to false positives, misidentifying colloidal particles as viruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a protocol that addresses potential confounding factors in virometry data.
- To improve the accuracy of virus enumeration in water samples using flow cytometry.
Main Methods:
- Development of a refined protocol for flow cytometry-based virus detection.
- Implementation of specific controls and calibrators to validate the method.
Main Results:
- The described protocol mitigates false positive signals caused by non-viral particles.
- This leads to a more accurate estimation of total virus counts in water samples.
Conclusions:
- The presented protocol enhances the reliability of virometry for environmental water analysis.
- Accurate virus enumeration is crucial for water quality assessment and public health.
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