Development of a phage-based detection system for the specific detection of bacterial pathogens

Abstract

Intentionally or accidentally contaminated drinking water or wastewater pose a serious threat to human health. Current monitoring of drinking water is either very expensive, requires complex equipment that is not easy to use or has a detection time of up to several days. The aim of this work was to develop a phage-based detection system that is easy to use, inexpensive and provides reliable results quickly. In the first part of the thesis, a detection system was tested with a model phage that should enable rapid colorimetric detection by coupling gold nanoparticles. The focus was on the question of whether it can be replicated as described. Furthermore, coupling time, practicability and speed of detection were to be tested as fundamental components of a detection system. In the second part of this work, the isolation of phages from wastewater was investigated. The aim was to characterize the isolated phages and, above all, to determine their host range, as this is essential for the sensitivity and reliability of the detection system. The focus was on relevant, in some cases highly resistant problem pathogens that can lead to nosocomial diseases and are very difficult to treat due to multiple resistances.