Detection of <i>Aeromonas hydrophila</i> in a drinking- water distribution system: a field and pilot study

Abstract

A 16-month study was conducted on the presence of Aeromonas hydrophila in drinking water in Indiana, U.S.A. Enumeration was conducted in source water, in various sites within a water treatment plant, and in the distribution system in both bulk water and biofilm, as well as in a simulated (annular reactors) drinking-water distribution system. Presumptive Aeromonas spp. counts on source waters regularly approached 10(3)-10(4) CFU/100 mL, during summer months and granular activated carbon - filtered water counts ranged from <1 to 490 CFU/100 mL. In source water, presumptive Aeromonas levels were related to water temperature. Aeromonas hydrophila was never detected in the treatment plant effluent or distributed bulk water, showing disinfectant efficiency on suspended bacteria; however, isolates of A. hydrophila were identified in 7.7% of the biofilm samples, indicating a potential for regrowth and contamination of drinking-water distribution systems.

Aeromonas spp. clinical microbiology and disease

“…73,75 Epidemiology Aeromonas are ubiquitous to water, with the ability to form biofilms in and subsequently colonise water systems. 76 The heterotrophic plate count (HPC) calculated that Aeromonas can make up 1e27% of total bacteria in samples of finished drinking water, implicating drinking water as a possible source of infection. 77 The number of cases of Aeromonasassociated gastroenteritis increases during the summer months correlating with increased numbers of Aeromonas in the water systems.…”

Biological characterization of a new type III secretion system effector from a clinical isolate of Aeromonas hydrophila—Part II

“…In addition to being prevalent in water sources, these bacterial pathogens are highly resistant to water chlorination and multiple antibiotics [3]. They are thus included on the Environmental Protection Agency's ''Contaminant Candidate List'' [4].…”

Distribution and antibacterial drug resistance ofAeromonas spp. from fresh and brackish waters in Southern Turkey

“…is occasionally recovered from aquatic environment. This genus can easily found in chlorinated and non-chlorinated drinking water supplies (Kersters et al, 1995;Chauret et al, 2001). Furthermore, Aeromonas spp.…”