Iranian Journal of

---

Backgrounds and Objectives:Total and Fecal coliforms (TC and FC), heterotrophic plate count (HPC), were counted by microbiological method and E.coli O157:H7 were detected through immunological and Real time PCRmethods inwater intake and all of units of Isfahanwater treatment plant (IWTP).
Materials and Methods: The microbial profile including TC, FC, and HPC, were monitored and turbidity and total organic carbon were analyzed in 8 locations of water intake, and unit operation and processes of IWTP, including, inlet, sedimentation, ozonation, and filtration and finished water. Immunological method through anti-serum kits and molecular method of RT-PCR were used to detect E.coli O157:H7 in the 8 locations and also the sludge of the sedimentation basin and filters backwash water of IWTP.
Results: Survival of E.coli O157:H7 in sludge sample of sedimentation basin was indicated by formation of agglutination particles in immunological method and through indicator probes in the RT-PCR method. However, E.coli O157:H7 was not detected in water samples of other units of IWTP. The removal percent of TC, FC, and HPC were: 59.5, 49, and 54.8 % in sedimentation basin 66, 45.8, and 57 % in ozonation: 98.8, 98, and 78.8 in the filtration and 96, 100, 91% in disinfection, respectively.
Conclusion: This study approved the existence of the pathogenic coliform, E.coli O157:H7 in the
sludge of sedimentation basin. Absent of E.coli O157:H7 in the finished water indicates that the existing units of IWTP could eliminate these pathogenic bacteria, before reaching the final units of the plant, including the filters and disinfection.

---

Background and Objectives: Legionella are gram-negative bacteria widely dispersed in natural and man-made water sources. Some Legionella species are pathogenic and could cause respiratory infections. Cultivation technique is the conventional method for the detection of Legionella spp. in aquatic samples. However, the method has low sensitivity and require prolonged incubation period. Therefore, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a rapid method with extreme sensitivity is used. The present study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and sensitivity of PCR method for detection of Legionellas pp. in aquatic samples using three sets of primers.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 60 water samples were investigated for the presence of Legionella species using Nested- PCR technique. The sensitivity of this technique was evaluated for the detection of Legionella species in aquatic samples using three primer sets, including (LEG225-LEG858), (LEG448-LEG858), and (LEG448-JRP).
Results: The nested PCR assay revealed that detection percentage of Legionella in samples was 70 when LEG448-JRP primers were used, whereas this percentage reduced to 50 and 45 when we applied prime sets of LEG225-LEG858 and LEG448 - LEG858, respectively.
Conclusion: The results of the study showed that contamination of aquatic samples to the Legionella spp. could be easily and rapidly detected by nested PCR. However, selecting appropriate method for DNA extraction and choosing the primers are important factors in efficiency and sensitivity of detection method.