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

Pathogens ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Inactivation of bacterial biothreat agents in water, a review

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 618-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Rose ◽  
E. W. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Bacillus Anthracis ◽  
Ultraviolet Light ◽  
Chlorine Dioxide ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Water Conditions ◽  
Public Health And Safety

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.

scholarly journals MUWS (Microbiology in Urban Water Systems) – an interdisciplinary approach to study microbial communities in urban water systems

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Deines ◽  
R. Sekar ◽  
H. S. Jensen ◽  
S. Tait ◽  
J. B. Boxall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Ecology ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Infrastructure Systems ◽  
Urban Water Systems ◽  
Sewer Networks

Abstract. Microbiology in Urban Water Systems (MUWS) is an integrated project, which aims to characterize the microorganisms found in both potable water distribution systems and sewer networks. These large infrastructure systems have a major impact on our quality of life, and despite the importance of these systems as major components of the water cycle, little is known about their microbial ecology. Potable water distribution systems and sewer networks are both large, highly interconnected, dynamic, subject to time and varying inputs and demands, and difficult to control. Their performance also faces increasing loading due to increasing urbanization and longer-term environmental changes. Therefore, understanding the link between microbial ecology and any potential impacts on short or long-term engineering performance within urban water infrastructure systems is important. By combining the strengths and research expertise of civil-, biochemical engineers and molecular microbial ecologists, we ultimately aim to link microbial community abundance, diversity and function to physical and engineering variables so that novel insights into the performance and management of both water distribution systems and sewer networks can be explored. By presenting the details and principals behind the molecular microbiological techniques that we use, this paper demonstrates the potential of an integrated approach to better understand how urban water system function, and so meet future challenges.

scholarly journals Deteriorating Water Distribution Systems Affect Public Health

Opflow ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 12-15
Author(s):  
Deborah Vacs Renwick ◽  
Kenneth Rotert
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Distribution Systems

scholarly journals Biofilms from a Brazilian water distribution system include filamentous fungi

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.M. Siqueira ◽  
H.M.B. Oliveira ◽  
C. Santos ◽  
R.R.M. Paterson ◽  
N.B. Gusmão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Filamentous Fungi ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Distribution System ◽  
Sampling Device ◽  
Calcofluor White

Filamentous fungi in drinking water can block water pipes, can cause organoleptic biodeterioration, and are a source of pathogens. There are increasing reports of the involvement of the organisms in biofilms. This present study describes a sampling device that can be inserted directly into pipes within water distribution systems, allowing biofilm formation in situ. Calcofluor White M2R staining and fluorescent in situ hybridization with morphological analyses using epifluorescent microscopy were used to analyse biofilms for filamentous fungi, permitting direct observation of the fungi. DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) was applied to detect bacteria. Filamentous fungi were detected in biofilms after 6 months on coupons exposed to raw water, decanted water and at the entrance of the water distribution system. Algae, yeast, and bacteria were also observed. The role of filamentous fungi requires further investigations.

scholarly journals Prevalence and public health implications of mycotoxigenic fungi in treated drinking water systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ntombie Thandazile Mhlongo ◽  
Memory Tekere ◽  
Timothy Sibanda
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Drinking Water Quality ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Mycotoxigenic Fungi ◽  
Treated Drinking Water

Abstract Insufficient potable water resources and poorly treated drinking water quality are the world's number one cause for preventable morbidity and mortality from water-related pathogenic microorganisms. Pathogenic microorganisms, including mycotoxigenic fungi, have been identified in treated drinking water. This paper presents a review of mycotoxigenic fungi as a health risk to the public as these fungi are responsible for allergies, cancers and opportunistic infections mainly to immunocompromised patients. The exacerbating factors contributing to fungal presence in water distribution systems, factors that lead to fungi being resistant to water treatment and treated drinking water quality legislations are also discussed. This paper provides a review on the prevalence of mycotoxigenic fungi and their implications to public health in treated drinking water, and the need for inclusion in treated drinking water quality regulations.

scholarly journals Legionella pneumophila and Protozoan Hosts: Implications for the Control of Hospital and Potable Water Systems

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Atif Nisar ◽  
Kirstin E. Ross ◽  
Melissa H. Brown ◽  
Richard Bentham ◽  
Harriet Whiley
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Water Disinfection ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Waterborne Pathogen ◽  
Microbial Biofilms ◽  
Pontiac Fever

Legionella pneumophila is an opportunistic waterborne pathogen of public health concern. It is the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) and Pontiac fever and is ubiquitous in manufactured water systems, where protozoan hosts and complex microbial communities provide protection from disinfection procedures. This review collates the literature describing interactions between L. pneumophila and protozoan hosts in hospital and municipal potable water distribution systems. The effectiveness of currently available water disinfection protocols to control L. pneumophila and its protozoan hosts is explored. The studies identified in this systematic literature review demonstrated the failure of common disinfection procedures to achieve long term elimination of L. pneumophila and protozoan hosts from potable water. It has been demonstrated that protozoan hosts facilitate the intracellular replication and packaging of viable L. pneumophila in infectious vesicles; whereas, cyst-forming protozoans provide protection from prolonged environmental stress. Disinfection procedures and protozoan hosts also facilitate biogenesis of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) L. pneumophila which have been shown to be highly resistant to many water disinfection protocols. In conclusion, a better understanding of L. pneumophila-protozoan interactions and the structure of complex microbial biofilms is required for the improved management of L. pneumophila and the prevention of LD.

Fungi from Potable Water: Interaction with Chlorine and Engineering Effects

1988 ◽  
Vol 20 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 153-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D. Rosenzweig ◽  
Wesley O. Pipes
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Storage Tanks ◽  
Water Interaction ◽  
Low Concentrations

In recent years various types of imperfect fungi have been isolated from water systems. Fungal spores and mycelia can be inactivated by low concentrations of chlorine in the laboratory but survive in some habitats in water distribution systems. This report describes a field study which provides evidence that some types of fungi are able to grow in water distribution systems. Replicate samples from private residences were used to demonstrate that fungal densities are sometimes much greater than the levels which could be explained by adventitious spores. The microbiological content of water samples from fire hydrants was often significantly different from that of water samples from nearby private residences. The treated water input to distribution systems was found to be significantly lower in fungus content than water from private residences. Elevated storage tanks open to the atmosphere appear to be significant sources of fungal input to some systems.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document