Method and device for detecting bacteriophage using contrast-coloring and precipitable dyes
First Claim
1. A method for detecting bacteriophage comprising the steps of:
- combining a test sample comprising a suspect bacteriophage with bacteria capable of supporting replication of the bacteriophage to form a liquid sample;
applying the liquid sample to a water-proof surface, wherein the water-proof surface with the liquid sample comprises a support for bacterial growth, and wherein the support includes at least one contrast-coloring dye, and at least one precipitable dye, and nutrients and salts capable of supporting growth of the bacteriaforming a lawn of bacteria on the support; and
detecting at least one plaque formed on the surface of the bacterial lawn, wherein a precipitate is formed in the at least one plaque and the precipitate is the product of an enzymatic cleavage of the precipitable dye by an enzyme from the bacteria of the bacterial lawn and wherein detection of at least one plaque on the bacterial lawn indicates the presence of the suspect bacteriophage in the test sample.
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Abstract
The use of a precipitable dye and a contrast-coloring dye together enhance visualization of plaques in confluent lawns of bacteria in bacteriophage and bacteria assays. A test sample suspected of containing a bacteriophage is combined with bacteria capable of replicating the bacteriophage, and applied to a water-proof surface to form a support for bacterial growth. The support is provided with the contrast-coloring dye and precipitable dye, and nutrients and salts capable of supporting growth of the bacteria. A lawn of bacteria is formed on the support, and plaques detected on the lawn indicate presence of the bacteriophage. The plaques contain a precipitate formed by enzymatic cleavage of the precipitable dye by an enzyme of the bacterial lawn. A similar procedure is used for detecting bacteria, except that a test sample suspected of containing a bacteria is combined with bacteriophage capable of replicating in the bacteria, and plaques detected indicate presence of the bacteria. The bacteriophage and bacteria assays are carried out with a disposable device containing at least one well having a water-proof surface and a depth of about at least 5 millimeters. A hydratable material containing the contrast-coloring dye and precipitable dye is positioned on the surface. The well may contain substantially vertical sides with a removable cover resting on top of the sides.
77 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for detecting bacteriophage comprising the steps of:
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combining a test sample comprising a suspect bacteriophage with bacteria capable of supporting replication of the bacteriophage to form a liquid sample; applying the liquid sample to a water-proof surface, wherein the water-proof surface with the liquid sample comprises a support for bacterial growth, and wherein the support includes at least one contrast-coloring dye, and at least one precipitable dye, and nutrients and salts capable of supporting growth of the bacteria forming a lawn of bacteria on the support; and detecting at least one plaque formed on the surface of the bacterial lawn, wherein a precipitate is formed in the at least one plaque and the precipitate is the product of an enzymatic cleavage of the precipitable dye by an enzyme from the bacteria of the bacterial lawn and wherein detection of at least one plaque on the bacterial lawn indicates the presence of the suspect bacteriophage in the test sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for detecting bacteriophage comprising the steps of:
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combining a test sample comprising a suspect bacteriophage and bacteria capable of supporting replication of the bacteriophage to form a liquid sample, wherein the concentration of bacteria is sufficient to form a bacterial lawn; adding the liquid sample to a well, the well comprising a water-proof surface with a water-hydratable material dispersed thereon, wherein the water-hydratable material comprises a contrast-coloring dye and a precipitable dye and wherein the liquid sample in the well comprises a support suitable for bacterial growth and for the formation and visualization of bacteriophage-derived plaques; forming a lawn of bacteria on the water-hydratable material; and incubating the liquid sample until at least one discrete plaque is visible, wherein a precipitate is formed in the at least one plaque and the precipitate is the product of an enzymatic cleavage of the precipitable dye by an enzyme from the bacteria of the bacterial lawn and wherein detection of at least one plague on the bacterial lawn indicates the presence of the suspect bacteriophage in the test sample. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A disposable device to detect bacteriophage comprising:
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at least one well comprising a water-proof surface, the well having a depth of about at least 5 millimeters; and a hydratable material positioned on the water-proof surface, the material comprising a precipitable dye and a contrast-coloring dye wherein the contrast-coloring dye is capable of coloring the hydratable material and where the precipitable dye is capable of being cleaved by at least one enzyme from a bacteria to form precipitate at the sight of a bacteriophage plague, wherein the bacteriophage is capable of replicating in the bacteria. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification