In this study ten laboratories in Greece compared the performance of reference method TTC Tergitol 7 Agar (with the additional test of β-glucuronidase production) with five alternative methods, to detect E. coli in water, in line with European Water Directive recommendations. The samples were prepared by spiking drinking water with sewage effluent following a standard protocol. Chlorinated and non-chlorinated samples were used. The statistical analysis was based on the mean relative difference of confirmed counts and was performed in line with ISO 17994. The results showed that in total, three of the alternative methods (Chromocult Coliform agar, Membrane Lauryl Sulfate agar and Trypton Bilex-glucuronidase medium) were not different from TTC Tergitol 7 agar (TTC Tergitol 7 agar vs Chromocult Coliform agar, 294 samples, mean RD% 5.55; vs MLSA, 302 samples, mean RD% 1; vs TBX, 297 samples, mean RD% −2.78). The other two alternative methods (Membrane Faecal coliform medium and Colilert 18/ Quantitray) gave significantly higher counts than TTC Tergitol 7 agar (TTC Tergitol 7 agar vs MFc, 303 samples, mean RD% 8.81; vs Colilert-18/Quantitray, 76 samples, mean RD% 18.91). In other words, the alternative methods generated performance that was as reliable as, or even better than, the reference method. This study will help laboratories in Greece overcome culture and counting problems deriving from the EU reference method for E. coli counts in water samples.
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Research Article|
January 01 2010
Equivalency testing of TTC Tergitol 7 agar (ISO 9308-1:2000) with five culture media for the detection of E. coli in water samples in Greece
A. Mavridou;
1Technological Educational Institution of Athens, Ag Spyridona, Aigaleo 12210, Greece E-mail: amavridou@teiath.gr
E-mail: amavridou@teiath.gr
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E. Smeti;
E. Smeti
2Water Supply & Sewerage Company of Athens, 156, Oropou street, Galatsi 11146, Greece E-mail: esmeti@eydap.gr; ginamicro@eydap.gr
*Equally contributed
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G. Mandilara;
G. Mandilara
6National School of Public Health 196, Alexandras Av, Athens 11521, Greece E-mail: olpap79@yahoo.gr; avatopou@nsph.gr; gmandil@nsph.gr
*Equally contributed
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P. Boufa;
P. Boufa
3Central Public Health Laboratory, 196, Alexandras Av, Athens 11521, Greece E-mail: kedy@otenet.gr
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M. Vagiona-Arvanitidou;
M. Vagiona-Arvanitidou
4Aristoteleion University, University Campus, Thessaloniki, Greece E-mail: vayona@med.auth.gr
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A. Vantarakis;
A. Vantarakis
5Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece E-mail: avantar@med.upatras.gr
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G. Vassilandonopoulou;
G. Vassilandonopoulou
2Water Supply & Sewerage Company of Athens, 156, Oropou street, Galatsi 11146, Greece E-mail: esmeti@eydap.gr; ginamicro@eydap.gr
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O. Pappa;
O. Pappa
6National School of Public Health 196, Alexandras Av, Athens 11521, Greece E-mail: olpap79@yahoo.gr; avatopou@nsph.gr; gmandil@nsph.gr
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V. Roussia;
V. Roussia
3Central Public Health Laboratory, 196, Alexandras Av, Athens 11521, Greece E-mail: kedy@otenet.gr
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A. Tzouanopoulos;
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A. Tzouanopoulos
7Centre of Water and Food Analysis, 46, Alexander street, Thessalonika 55133, Greece E-mail: atzouano@yahoo.gr
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M. Livadara;
M. Livadara
8Hellenic Center for Marine Research, Gournes Pediados, P.O. Box 2214, Heraklion, Greece E-mail: moshoula@imbc.gr
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I Aisopou;
I Aisopou
9Municipal Enterprise for Water Supply and Sewage of Heraklion, 1, Vironos street, Heraklion, Greece E-mail: deyah-b@her.forthnet.gr
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V. Maraka;
V. Maraka
10Municipal Enterprise for Water Supply and Sewage of Chania, 29 Kydonias street, Chania 73135, Greece E-mail: vmaraka@yahoo.com
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E. Nikolaou;
E. Nikolaou
11General Chemistry, General Chemical State Laboratory of Rhodes, 17, Haritou street, Rhodes 8510, Greece E-mail: xyrhod@rho.forthnet.gr
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V. Karaouli
V. Karaouli
12Ministry of Health, 17, Aristotelous street, Athens 10187, Greece E-mail: ymp@mohaw.gr
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Water Sci Technol (2010) 61 (1): 67–76.
Citation
A. Mavridou, E. Smeti, G. Mandilara, P. Boufa, M. Vagiona-Arvanitidou, A. Vantarakis, G. Vassilandonopoulou, O. Pappa, V. Roussia, A. Tzouanopoulos, M. Livadara, I Aisopou, V. Maraka, E. Nikolaou, V. Karaouli; Equivalency testing of TTC Tergitol 7 agar (ISO 9308-1:2000) with five culture media for the detection of E. coli in water samples in Greece. Water Sci Technol 1 January 2010; 61 (1): 67–76. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2010.781
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