Correction: Whiley, H., et al. Detection of Legionella, L. pneumophila and Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) along Potable Water Distribution Pipelines. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2014, 11, 7393–7405

Water supplies and water distribution systems have been identified as potential targets for contamination by bacterial biothreat agents. Since the 2001 Bacillus anthracis bioterrorist attacks, additional efforts have been aimed at research to characterize biothreat organisms in regards to their susceptibility to disinfectants and technologies currently in use for potable water. Here, we present a review of research relevant to disinfection of bacteria with the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety, and their potential surrogates. The efficacy of chlorine, monochloramine, chlorine dioxide, and ultraviolet light to inactivate each organism in suspension is described. The complexities of disinfection under varying water conditions and when the organisms are associated with biofilms in distribution systems are discussed.

Download Full-text

The presence of opportunistic pathogens, Legionella spp., L. pneumophila and Mycobacterium avium complex, in South Australian reuse water distribution pipelines

Journal of Water and Health ◽

10.2166/wh.2014.317 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 553-561 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

H. Whiley ◽

A. Keegan ◽

H. Fallowfield ◽

R. Bentham

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Avium ◽

Water Reuse ◽

Water Distribution ◽

Mycobacterium Avium Complex ◽

Human Pathogens ◽

Opportunistic Pathogens ◽

Potential Health ◽

Reuse Water ◽

Chlorine Residual ◽

Polymerase Chain

Water reuse has become increasingly important for sustainable water management. Currently, its application is primarily constrained by the potential health risks. Presently there is limited knowledge regarding the presence and fate of opportunistic pathogens along reuse water distribution pipelines. In this study opportunistic human pathogens Legionella spp., L. pneumophila and Mycobacterium avium complex were detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction along two South Australian reuse water distribution pipelines at maximum concentrations of 105, 103 and 105 copies/mL, respectively. During the summer period of sampling the concentration of all three organisms significantly increased (P < 0.05) along the pipeline, suggesting multiplication and hence viability. No seasonality in the decrease in chlorine residual along the pipelines was observed. This suggests that the combination of reduced chlorine residual and increased water temperature promoted the presence of these opportunistic pathogens.

Download Full-text

Potable water and Mycobacterium avium complex in HIV patients: is prevention possible?

The Lancet ◽

10.1016/s0140-6736(94)90228-3 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 343 (8906) ◽

pp. 1110-1111 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Nina Singh ◽

VictorL. Yu

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Avium ◽

Mycobacterium Avium Complex ◽

Potable Water ◽

Hiv Patients

Download Full-text

Occurrence of Fungi in the Potable Water of Hospitals: A Public Health Threat

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9100783 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 783

Author(s):

Giuseppina Caggiano ◽

Giusy Diella ◽

Francesco Triggiano ◽

Nicola Bartolomeo ◽

Francesca Apollonio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Filamentous Fungi ◽

Distribution Systems ◽

Water Distribution ◽

Potable Water ◽

Threshold Value ◽

Threshold Values ◽

Multivariable Model ◽

Hospital Environments ◽

Different Types

Since the last decade, attention towards the occurrence of fungi in potable water has increased. Commensal and saprophytic microorganisms widely distributed in nature are also responsible for causing public health problems. Fungi can contaminate hospital environments, surviving and proliferating in moist and unsterile conditions. According to Italian regulations, the absence of fungi is not a mandatory parameter to define potable water, as a threshold value for the fungal occurrence has not been defined. This study evaluated the occurrence of fungi in potable water distribution systems in hospitals. The frequency of samples positive for the presence of fungi was 56.9%; among them, filamentous fungi and yeasts were isolated from 94.2% and 9.2% of the samples, respectively. The intensive care unit (87.1%) had the highest frequency of positive samples. Multivariable model (p < 0.0001), the variables of the period of the year (p < 0.0001) and type of department (p = 0.0002) were found to be statistically significant, suggesting a high distribution of filamentous fungi in the potable water of hospitals. Further studies are necessary to validate these results and identify the threshold values of fungi levels for different types of water used for various purposes to ensure the water is safe for consumption and protect public health.

Download Full-text

Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) in Water Distribution Systems and Household Plumbing in the United States

Water ◽

10.3390/w12123338 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 3338

Author(s):

Joseph O. Falkinham

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Mycobacterium Avium ◽

Distribution Systems ◽

Water Distribution ◽

Mycobacterium Avium Complex ◽

Water Distribution Systems ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

The United States ◽

Fecal Coliforms ◽

Plate Count

Members of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) are waterborne, opportunistic pathogens whose characteristics make urban water distribution systems and household plumbing ideal habitats for their survival, persistence and growth. Rather than contaminants, MAC are colonists of drinking water systems. MAC are normal inhabitants of natural soils and water, and enter drinking water treatment systems through surface sources. A proportion of MAC survive transmission through the treatment plant, and regrow in the distribution system and household plumbing. Once within household plumbing, MAC adhere to surfaces and form biofilms, thus preventing their washout. The thermal tolerance of MAC leads to growth in water heating systems. Stagnation does not reduce MAC numbers, as MAC can grow at low oxygen levels. MAC present challenges to current water monitoring approaches as their numbers do not correlate with E. coli, fecal coliforms or heterotrophic plate count bacteria.

Download Full-text