Microbes (like viruses, bacteria, and parasites) in drinking and recreational water can cause illness in humans. Identifying which specific pathogens we are exposed to can be very challenging because many types of pathogens can be found in water and many pathogens have similar symptoms. In order to understand the risks associated with waterborne pathogens an assessment is needed to determine if there has been human exposure to specific pathogens. Traditionally, methods to measure exposure have relied on serological assessments. These are expensive and invasive approaches requiring that blood samples be collected and tested for antibodies against the pathogens in question. There is a need for analytical methods that are less invasive, cost effective, rapid, allow for high throughput analysis, and can simultaneously measure exposure to multiple pathogens.
EPA scientists have developed a simple way to measure human exposure to waterborne pathogens. Using swabs of saliva, which can be collected quickly and non-invasively, scientists can look for specific antibodies created by the immune system in response to exposure from certain microbes. Using this new method, scientists can collect, store, and measure these antibodies using a high throughput multiplex immunoassay
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