from Theron et al. in Nanotechnology in Water Treatment Applications

Traditionally, prediction of the presence of human enteric pathogens in water has been achieved by monitoring for established microbial "indicators" of fecal pollution. Not necessarily pathogenic themselves, fecal coliforms, total coliforms, E. coli, enterococci and bacteriophages are all examples of organisms that when present are viewed as predictive of the potential presence of enteric pathogens, since they have the same fecal source as the pathogenic organisms. Tests for coliform bacteria are standardized and relatively easy and inexpensive to use. Consequently, they are more rapidly administered than tests determining the presence of individual pathogenic microorganisms in water. Despite being successful in predicting possible health risks in many circumstances, there are many flaws in using microbial indicators. Research has established an inability of many of these indicators to predict the presence of disease-causing viruses (such as hepatitis A and E, coxsackie viruses, echoviruses, adenoviruses and Norwalk viruses), indigenous bacteria (such as Legionella and Helicobacter), as well as parasites (such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia).

Since it would appear that conventional detection methods do not adequately assess the risk of waterborne disease, the need for powerful new tools for the detection of pathogenic microorganisms in water is becoming increasingly more important. Although several different molecular methodologies are available, these have only recently been applied in the field of water science and technology. Moreover, the rapid progress of nanotechnology and advanced nanomaterials production offers significant opportunities not only for the detection and remediation of a broad range of environmental contaminants, but also for the development of new diagnostic assays that may serve as an appealing alternative to current molecular diagnostic techniques.

Tags: Microbial Detection | Pathogen Detection | Biodiagnostics | Biodetection Assays | Biomolecular Detection