Patent ID: 6090541
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
A method for detecting bacteriophage comprising the steps of:combining a test sample comprising a suspect bacteriophage with bacteria capable of supporting replication of the bacteriophage to form a liquid sample;applying the liquid sample to a water-proof surface, wherein the water-proof surface with the liquid sample comprises a support for bacterial growth, and wherein the support includes at least one contrast-coloring dye, and at least one precipitable dye, and nutrients and salts capable of supporting growth of the bacteriaforming a lawn of bacteria on the support; anddetecting at least one plaque formed on the surface of the bacterial lawn, wherein a precipitate is formed in the at least one plaque and the precipitate is the product of an enzymatic cleavage of the precipitable dye by an enzyme from the bacteria of the bacterial lawn and wherein detection of at least one plaque on the bacterial lawn indicates the presence of the suspect bacteriophage in the test sample.