Fp. Williams et Re. Stetler, DETECTION OF FRNA COLIPHAGES IN GROUNDWATER - INTERFERENCE WITH THE ASSAY BY SOMATIC SALMONELLA BACTERIOPHAGES, Letters in applied microbiology, 19(2), 1994, pp. 79-82
Groundwater samples from two sites in Alabama, USA were plaque assayed
for F-specific RNA (FRNA) coliphages using Salmonella typhimurium WG4
9 as the host bacterium. While numerous plaques were detected with WG4
9 (a strain possessing Escherichia coli F pill), plaques were also obs
erved with an F- control strain of Salm. typhimurium. Five isolates we
re plaque purified and examined by electron microscopy. All of the iso
late particles were observed to be tailed, with five distinct particle
types being differentiated. None of the isolate particles were consis
tent in morphology with the cubic FRNA coliphages. Host range evaluati
on supported classification of the isolates as salmonella phages. Soma
tic salmonella phages have previously been found to interfere with the
assay of surface waters for FRNA coliphages. Their detection here dem
onstrates that such interference is also encountered in the assay of g
roundwaters.