Helicobacter sp. recovered from drinking water biofilm sampled from a water distribution system

Workers examining the transmission route(s) and reservoir(s) of infection for Helicobacter pylori have postulated several environmental reservoirs for the organism, including water. Such work has, to date, concentrated on the bulk liquid in drinking water systems rather than on biofilms. Previous in...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water research (Oxford) 2001-04, Vol.35 (6), p.1624-1626
Main Authors: Park, S.R, Mackay, W.G, Reid, D.C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding
Applied sciences
Bacteria
biofilm
Biofilms
Biological and medical sciences
British Isles, Scotland
Disease Reservoirs
DNA, Bacterial
drinking water
Drinking water and swimming-pool water. Desalination
Environment. Living conditions
Exact sciences and technology
Helicobacter - genetics
Helicobacter - isolation & purification
Helicobacter Infections - transmission
Helicobacter pylori
Medical sciences
PCR
Pollution
public health
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Water Microbiology
Water Supply
Water treatment and pollution
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Workers examining the transmission route(s) and reservoir(s) of infection for Helicobacter pylori have postulated several environmental reservoirs for the organism, including water. Such work has, to date, concentrated on the bulk liquid in drinking water systems rather than on biofilms. Previous investigations by the authors have suggested biofilms in water distribution systems are a possible reservoir of infection. This current study comprised of an analysis of a section of cast iron mains distribution pipe removed from an urban environment in the north-east of Scotland during routine maintenance work. Immediately upon removal of the pipe section, the interior lumen was swabbed to remove the biofilm layer. Subsequent analysis for the presence of Helicobacter DNA using a nested PCR approach produced a positive result. This data provides the first evidence for the existence of Helicobacter in biofilms found in water distribution systems anywhere in the world.
ISSN:0043-1354
1879-2448
DOI:10.1016/S0043-1354(00)00582-0