Monitoring by PCR amplification of the polyphosphate kinase gene added to natural water samples.

Abstract

A fast, simple method for the detection of the Escherichia coli polyphosphate kinase (ppk) gene by means of PCR amplification is described. The method uses filters to recover cells from the samples, which makes it suitable for environmental studies. The detection of the ppk gene was achieved from samples containing 10(2) E. coli cells, either in saline solution or in river water.