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Incidence and distribution of microfungi in a treated municipal water supply system in sub-tropical Australia

Noel B Sammon1, Keith M Harrower, Larelle D Fabbro

  • 1Centre for Plant and Water Science, CQUniversity Australia, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. n.sammon@cqu.edu.au

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|July 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This study found common microfungal contaminants, including opportunistic pathogens, in Australian municipal drinking water. These fungi, alongside bacteria, highlight potential risks in treated water supplies.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Drinking water quality is typically assessed for bacterial pathogens.
  • Waterborne fungal spores are an emerging concern for nosocomial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence and types of microfungal contaminants in a municipal water supply in Australia.
  • To assess the correlation between microfungal, yeast, and bacterial populations in drinking water.

Main Methods:

  • A 18-month study using membrane filtration and malt extract agar incubation at 25°C.
  • Enumeration and genus-level identification of colony-forming units.
  • Nonparametric multivariate statistical analyses (MDS, PCA, BEST) using PRIMER v6 software.

Main Results:

  • Microfungi were recovered from all parts of the water system.
  • Common genera identified include Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Fusarium.
  • Significant positive correlations were observed between filamentous fungi, yeasts, and bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • A typical treated municipal water supply in sub-tropical Australia is populated by numerous microfungal genera.
  • Some identified microfungal genera contain species that are opportunistic human pathogens.
  • Findings underscore the need to consider fungal contamination in drinking water safety assessments.
Keywords:
Aspergillusdrinking waterhuman pathogensimmunosuppressedmicrofunginosocomial mycoses

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