A PCR Assay To Discriminate Human and Ruminant Feces on the Basis of Host Differences in <i>Bacteroides-Prevotella</i> Genes Encoding 16S rRNA

TLDR

Previous studies identified Bacteroides‑Prevotella rDNA PCR markers for fecal source tracking. The study aimed to develop a rapid, inexpensive PCR assay to identify the source of fecal pollution in water. The authors designed specific PCR primers based on length‑heterogeneity PCR and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism of Bacteroides‑Prevotella 16S rDNA to distinguish human from ruminant fecal contamination.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Our purpose was to develop a rapid, inexpensive method of diagnosing the source of fecal pollution in water. In previous research, we identified Bacteroides-Prevotella ribosomal DNA (rDNA) PCR markers based on analysis. These markers length heterogeneity PCR and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism distinguish cow from human feces. Here, we recovered 16S rDNA clones from natural waters that were close phylogenetic relatives of the markers. From the sequence data, we designed specific PCR primers that discriminate human and ruminant sources of fecal contamination.