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Review
. 2021 Jun 7;13(6):1089.
doi: 10.3390/v13061089.

Bacteriophages as Fecal Pollution Indicators

Daniel Toribio-Avedillo  1 , Anicet R Blanch  1 , Maite Muniesa  1 , Lorena Rodríguez-Rubio  1
Affiliations
Review

Bacteriophages as Fecal Pollution Indicators

Daniel Toribio-Avedillo et al. Viruses. .

Abstract

Bacteriophages are promising tools for the detection of fecal pollution in different environments, and particularly for viral pathogen risk assessment. Having similar morphological and biological characteristics, bacteriophages mimic the fate and transport of enteric viruses. Enteric bacteriophages, especially phages infecting Escherichia coli (coliphages), have been proposed as alternatives or complements to fecal indicator bacteria. Here, we provide a general overview of the potential use of enteric bacteriophages as fecal and viral indicators in different environments, as well as the available methods for their detection and enumeration, and the regulations for their application.

Keywords: bacteriophages; fecal pollution; indicator.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Fields of application of bacteriophages as fecal indicators.
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