Detection of anthrax spores from the air by real‐time PCR

• Published in: Letters in applied microbiology Vol. 33; no. 3; pp. 237 - 240
• Main Authors: Makino, S.‐I., Cheun, H.I., Watarai, M., Uchida, I., Takeshi, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.09.2001; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: Air Microbiology; Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding; Bacillus anthracis; Bacillus anthracis - growth & development; Bacillus anthracis - isolation & purification; Bacillus anthracis - physiology; Bacteriological methods and techniques used in bacteriology; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; Culture Media; Environment. Living conditions; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hot Temperature; Medical sciences; Microbiology; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Spores, Bacterial - isolation & purification; Bacillus anthracis; Air; Bacillaceae; Real time; Spores; Infection; Polymerase chain reaction; Bacillales; Anthrax; Pathogenic; Bacteriosis; Bacteria; Air pollution; Detection; Biological contamination; Public health
• ISSN: 0266-8254; 1472-765X; 1365-2673
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2001.00989.x

Aims: To detect and isolate Bacillus anthracis from the air by a simple and rapid procedure. Methods and Results: One hundred litres of air were filtered through an air monitor device. After the membrane was suspended in PBS, spores of B. anthracis were added. The suspension was plated on Bacillus cereus selective agar (BCA) plates to detect B. anthracis colonies. The suspension was also heated at 95°C for 15 min and used for real‐time PCR using a Light Cycler system and anthrax‐specific primers. Conclusions: A single cell of B. anthracis was detected by real‐time PCR within 1 h and was also isolated on a BCA plate within two d. Significance and Impact of the Study: Our results provide evidence that anthrax spores from the atmosphere can be detected rapidly, suggesting that real‐time PCR and a Light Cycler provides a flexible and powerful tool to prevent epidemics.