This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Woody, M. A. Articles by Cliver, D. O. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Woody, M. A. Articles by Cliver, D. O. Agricola Articles by Woody, M. A. Articles by Cliver, D. O.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 04 1995, 1520-1526, Vol 61, No. 4
Copyright © 1995, American Society for Microbiology

Effects of temperature and host cell growth phase on replication of F- specific RNA coliphage Q beta

MA Woody and DO Cliver
Department of Bacteriology, Food Research Institute, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Food Virology, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1187, USA.

Human enteric viruses have been found in groundwater in the absence of fecal coliforms. Because detection of human enteric viruses is costly, time-consuming, and lacking in sensitivity, F-specific RNA (FRNA) coliphages, which infect Escherichia coli by attachment to F pili, are being examined for suitability as indicators of human enteric viruses in groundwater. Temperatures and host cell growth conditions that constrain F-pilus expression will limit FRNA coliphage replication in groundwater and wastewater, as is desirable in an indicator. Below 25 degrees C F-pilus synthesis ceases; FRNA coliphage Qbeta did not replicate below this temperature in batch cultures. One-step replication studies indicated that the replicative cycle is prolonged and that fewer progeny are released as the temperature decreases. The decreases in phage replication observed in the one-step replication studies were a consequence of fewer cells infected as the temperature was lowered or as host cells entered stationary phase. The numbers of phage particles released from infected cells did not change. The minimum temperature for replication of Qbeta, 25 degrees C, is not maintained in wastewater and does not occur in Wisconsin groundwater. On the basis of temperature and host cell growth phase, we have concluded that extensive replication of FRNA coliphages does not occur in wastewater and groundwater in Wisconsin and areas with similar cool climates.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Jones, T. H., Johns, M. W. (2009). Improved Detection of F-Specific RNA Coliphages in Fecal Material by Extraction and Polyethylene Glycol Precipitation. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 75: 6142-6146 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Love, D. C., Sobsey, M. D. (2007). Simple and Rapid F+ Coliphage Culture, Latex Agglutination, and Typing Assay To Detect and Source Track Fecal Contamination. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73: 4110-4118 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Skraber, S., Gassilloud, B., Gantzer, C. (2004). Comparison of Coliforms and Coliphages as Tools for Assessment of Viral Contamination in River Water. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70: 3644-3649 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Myrmel, M., Berg, E. M. M., Rimstad, E., Grinde, B. (2004). Detection of Enteric Viruses in Shellfish from the Norwegian Coast. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70: 2678-2684 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Cole, D., Long, S. C., Sobsey, M. D. (2003). Evaluation of F+ RNA and DNA Coliphages as Source-Specific Indicators of Fecal Contamination in Surface Waters. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69: 6507-6514 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Allwood, P. B., Malik, Y. S., Hedberg, C. W., Goyal, S. M. (2003). Survival of F-Specific RNA Coliphage, Feline Calicivirus, and Escherichia coli in Water: a Comparative Study. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69: 5707-5710 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Formiga-Cruz, M., Allard, A. K., Conden-Hansson, A.-C., Henshilwood, K., Hernroth, B. E., Jofre, J., Lees, D. N., Lucena, F., Papapetropoulou, M., Rangdale, R. E., Tsibouxi, A., Vantarakis, A., Girones, R. (2003). Evaluation of Potential Indicators of Viral Contamination in Shellfish and Their Applicability to Diverse Geographical Areas. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69: 1556-1563 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kadavy, D. R., Shaffer, J. J., Lott, S. E., Wolf, T. A., Bolton, C. E., Gallimore, W. H., Martin, E. L., Nickerson, K. W., Kokjohn, T. A. (2000). Influence of Infected Cell Growth State on Bacteriophage Reactivation Levels. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 66: 5206-5212 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Calci, K. R., Burkhardt, W. III, Watkins, W. D., Rippey, S. R. (1998). Occurrence of Male-Specific Bacteriophage in Feral and Domestic Animal Wastes, Human Feces, and Human-Associated Wastewaters. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64: 5027-5029 [Abstract] [Full Text]