Journal of Environmental Biology

Rapid detection of bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis, in airborne particles of Hermosillo, Sonora, M?xico

Paper received: 14.10.2017???????????????????? Revised received: 24.01.2018??????????????? Re-revised received: 10.11.2018????????????? Accepted: 16.01.2019

Authors Info

R.A. Santos¹, N.J. Sau¹,

M.T. Certucha², F.J. Almend?riz²,

A.O. Monge², I.J. Zepeda³

and L.J. Hern?ndez¹*

¹Centro de Investigaciones Biol?gicas del Noroeste SC, Hermosillo CP 83106, M?xico

²Divisi?n de Ingenier?a, Departamento de Ingenier?a Qu?mica y Metalurgia, Universidad de Sonora,? Hermosillo CP 83000, M?xico

³Coordinaci?n General de Infraestructura, Desarrollo Urbano y Ecolog?a, Instituto Municipal de Ecolog?a, Hermosillo CP 83270, M?xico

*Corresponding Author Email :

jhlopez04@cibnor.mx 

Abstract

Aim: The microorganisms present in the air have great biological and economic importance because they can seriously affect living organisms. The aim of this work was to implement a real-time PCR technique as a rapid method for detecting Enterococcus faecalis in filters containing airborne particles, seeking to avoid the loss of time in bacterial culture on agar plates.    

Methodology: Air filter samples were collected from four monitoring stations. Filter samples with PM₁₀ and TSP particles were subjected to nucleic acid extraction and PCR for identification of E. faecalis.

Results: The PCR technique developed in this work showed high sensitivity and good specificity for detecting the presence of E. faecalis in airborne particles. The results of the microbiological analysis using traditional identification techniques confirmed the presence of E. faecalis in all sampling sites. Winter was the period with the highest percentage of positive samples.

Interpretation: The results suggest that PCR technique can be used for rapid detection of E. faecalis in filters containing PM₁₀ and TSP particles.

Key words: Air borne particles, Atmospheric, Enterococcus faecalis, Real-Time PCR

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