Public health implications of Acanthamoeba and multiple potential opportunistic pathogens in roof-harvested rainwater tanks

Hamilton, Kerry A.; Ahmed, Warish; Palmer, Andrew H.; Sidhu, J. P. S.; Hodgers, Leonie; Toze, Simon; Haas, Charles N.

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2016.06.017

Cited by 46 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 59 publications

(67 reference statements)

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“…[28], previous risk assessments of L. pneumophila, M. avium, and M. intracellulare suggest that exposure to aerosols during garden hosing or toilet flushing, and consumption of produce irrigated with RHRW can present risks for public health [48,49]. Due to the absence of L. pneumophila and lower concentrations of M. avium and M. intracellulare detected in the current study compared to the one used to develop input distributions for the previous quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) [6], a new QMRA is recommended to assess risks in Philadelphia RHRB. Additionally, uses and their relative frequencies are different for US populations compared to those from Australia [6].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…Due to the absence of L. pneumophila and lower concentrations of M. avium and M. intracellulare detected in the current study compared to the one used to develop input distributions for the previous quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) [6], a new QMRA is recommended to assess risks in Philadelphia RHRB. Additionally, uses and their relative frequencies are different for US populations compared to those from Australia [6]. C. jejuni is a fecal-oral pathogen that can be of concern for food crop irrigation or toilet flushing using rainwater [58].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The detailed methods previously used by the authors were replicated in this study and the full description is available elsewhere [6,13].…”

Section: Pathogen Quantificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A Sketa22 real-time PCR assay was used to determine the likely presence of PCR inhibitors in the extracted DNA samples. The primer, probe and cycling conditions for the Sketa22 assay have been described elsewhere [6,39].…”

Section: Dna Extraction and Assessment Of Pcr Inhibitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of Water Quality in Roof-Harvested Rainwater Barrels in Greater Philadelphia

Hamilton

Parrish

Ahmed

et al. 2018

Water

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A study of water quality parameters was conducted in 38 small-scale roof-harvested rainwater barrels (RHRB) located in urban and peri-urban Philadelphia, USA in winter (November-December) 2014 and summer (June-August 2016). Parameters included two fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp.) measured using culture-based methods, eight potential enteric and opportunistic pathogens (Campylobacter jejuni, Acanthamoeba spp., Legionella spp., L. pneumophila, Naegleria fowleri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare) measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and two metals (lead and zinc) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Fecal indicator bacteria were detected in greater than 60% RHRB samples and concentrations (up to >10 3 per 100 mL) exceeded US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) irrigation water quality standards. Among the enteric and opportunistic pathogens tested, 57.9, 44.7, 21.1, 18.4, 5 and 3% were PCR positive for Legionella spp., M. intracellulare, M. avium, Acanthamoeba spp., P. aeruginosa, and C. jejuni, respectively. N. fowleri and L. pneumophila were not detected in any sample. The concentrations of enteric and opportunistic pathogens ranged from 10 2 to 10 7 gene copies/L of barrel water. Lead and zinc were each observed in 88.5% of RHRB but the concentrations did not exceed US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standards for irrigating produce, with the exception of one zinc observation (2660 µg/L). Based on these data, it appears that the risk associated with metals in RHRB is likely to be low, as these barrels are only used for gardening and non-potable purposes. However, risks due to fecal and opportunistic pathogens may be higher due to exposure to aerosols during gardening activities and produce consumed raw, and should be investigated further.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The detailed methods previously used by the authors were replicated in this study and the full description is available elsewhere [6,13].…”

Section: Pathogen Quantificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Dna Extraction and Assessment Of Pcr Inhibitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of Water Quality in Roof-Harvested Rainwater Barrels in Greater Philadelphia

Hamilton

Parrish

Ahmed

et al. 2018

Water

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“…Opportunistic pathogens cause illness primarily for immunocompromised people [3]. A high abundance of opportunistic pathogens in tank water samples has been reported [4,5,6] supporting the need to consider potential health risks. However, most studies in the research literature reported the occurrence/abundance of opportunistic pathogens based on testing a sample at a single time-point from a tank.…”

Section: Overview Introduction/study Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Abundance of Fecal Indicators and Opportunistic Pathogens in Roof-Harvested Rainwater Tanks

Ahmed¹,

Hamilton²,

Toze

et al. 2018

OHD

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Here we provide seasonal data on the concentrations of total coliform, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. and six opportunistic pathogens (Acanthamoeba spp., Legionella spp., Legionella pneumophila, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) of public health significance in 24 tank water samples over six monthly sampling events from August 2015 to March 2006. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were chosen for the quantification of six opportunistic pathogens and culture-based methods were used for the enumeration of fecal indicators. The data fle has been stored in a publicly available repository. The data on concentrations of opportunistic pathogens in RHRW will provide information for rainwater users regarding potential seasonality of risks. Quantitative data presented in this study can be used to perform quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) of RHRW for various potable and nonpotable uses. Data can be used by health regulators to develop guidelines related to RHRW.

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Knowledge gaps and risks associated with premise plumbing drinking water quality

et al. 2020

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Sustainability, water conservation, water efficiency, and green infrastructure have led to significant decreases in the quantity of water used in buildings. In addition, changes in water usage, building design, plumbing material selection, and high‐efficiency fixtures contribute to water age and potential chemical and microbiological contamination. Through a literature review and stakeholder workshop with representatives from the public and private sectors, this article explores the current state of the science on plumbing safety. Results indicate that links between water usage, design, and material selection and water quality must be established with data‐driven methods to support risk assessment and risk management decisions. Of particular interest is a better understanding of the contribution of water usage and piping materials to the proliferation of opportunistic pathogens. This article will help further efforts to evaluate these pathogenic risks, a critical need as drinking water regulations have primarily focused on exposure through ingestion.

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Public health implications of Acanthamoeba and multiple potential opportunistic pathogens in roof-harvested rainwater tanks

Cited by 46 publications

References 59 publications

Assessment of Water Quality in Roof-Harvested Rainwater Barrels in Greater Philadelphia

Assessment of Water Quality in Roof-Harvested Rainwater Barrels in Greater Philadelphia

Seasonal Abundance of Fecal Indicators and Opportunistic Pathogens in Roof-Harvested Rainwater Tanks

Knowledge gaps and risks associated with premise plumbing drinking water quality

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