Detection of Microorganisms in Soils and Sludges

THE PCR has been successfully used to detect bacterial DNA and RNA in soil and sludges, but most work has been conducted on DNA. In soil the target organisms have usually been pathogens, indicators of pathogens, or organisms capable of degradation of xenobiotics including genetically engineered bacteria. Thus, many bacterial primers exist for the detection of specific organisms. Pathogenic bacteria are often introduced into soil, either deliberately when sewage, sludge, or animal wastes are disposed of in soil, or through opportunistic mechanisms, such as bird droppings. It is, of course, well documented that sewage and sludges can contain specific bacterial pathogens, such as Salmonella spp. or viral pathogens including enteroviruses [1], Such organisms can survive days, weeks, or even months depending on soil moisture and temperature [1,2]. Thus, there is the potential for disease incidence, which makes detection of pathogens in soil and sludges critical.