Campylobacter spp. in waters of three main western Pomerania water bodies

Campylobacters are responsible for increasing numbers of gastroenteritis cases in humans as well as miscarriages and diarrhea in farm and domestic animals. Surface waters are potential reservoirs and transmitting vehicles for these bacteria. Subject of analysis were surface water samples collected from the River Odra, Szczecin Lagoon and the Pomeranian Bay in monthly or bimonthly intervals, starting from April 1998. Analysis directed on campylobacters included enrichment in Preston broth prior to plating on CCDA isolation medium and identification, to the species level, by the api CAMPY tests. The detection level of the method was 1 CFU/10 ml. Numbers of total and faecal coliforms were counted according to the national standards. In addition water temperature and water saturation with oxygen were measured. Presence of Campylobacter spp., at the level detectable by the method applied, was confirmed in 19.7% of the Odra River, 5.6% of the Szczecin Lagoon and 0% of the Pomeranian Bay surface water samples. The contamination level of the Campylobacter--positive surface water samples did not exceed 10 CFU/ml. Isolation frequency depended on water purity class, counts of total and faecal coliforms and sampling site (p < 0.01). Species dominating in the River Odra and Szczecin Lagoon surface waters were C. jejuni ssp. jejuni and C. coli, respectively.