Comparison of droplet digital PCR and quantitative PCR for the detection of Salmonella and its application for river sediments

摘要: Despite advances in microbial detection that quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has led to, complex environmental samples, such as sediments, remain a challenge due to presence of PCR inhibitors. Aquatic sediments accumulate particle-bound contaminants and thereby reflect cumulative load over time. The relatively new droplet digital (ddPCR) emerged direct method, highly tolerant inhibitors relinquishing the necessity for calibration/standard curves. Information is virtually absent where ddPCR been applied detect pathogenic organisms aquatic sediments. This study compared efficacy with qPCR, quantification Salmonella from Palmiet River near an informal settlement Durban, South Africa. significantly improved both analytical sensitivity low concentrations qPCR. expected copy numbers measured qPCR showed good R2 values (0.999 0.994, respectively). site mostly affected by settlements exhibited range 255 ± 37 818 30 Salmonella/g (p ≤ 0.0001) ddPCR, respectively. makes it promising technical method multifarious samples.