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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
Water microbiology. Bacterial pathogens and water
1Center for Interdisciplinary Marine and Environmental Research (C. I. I. M. A. R.), Faculty of Sciences, Oporto University, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Oporto, Portugal. jpcabral@fc.up.pt
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|December 9, 2010
Summary
Ensuring safe drinking water is a global challenge. Microbiological testing, primarily using Escherichia coli, is crucial for preventing waterborne bacterial infections and ensuring public health worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Public health
- Water quality analysis
Background:
- Waterborne bacterial diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, and bacillary dysentery pose significant global health risks.
- Access to clean drinking water remains a critical challenge, leading to widespread mortality from bacterial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key waterborne bacterial pathogens, their ecology, and disease transmission.
- To evaluate the role and limitations of fecal indicator bacteria in water quality assessment.
- To recommend appropriate microbiological analysis methods for drinking water safety.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of bacterial diseases transmitted through water.
- Analysis of fecal indicator bacteria, including Escherichia coli and enterococci.
- Discussion of water pollution sources and their environmental impact.
Main Results:
- Identified major waterborne pathogens and their environmental life cycles.
- Assessed the utility and limitations of fecal indicator bacteria for detecting contamination.
- Highlighted the importance of pathogenic Escherichia coli and emerging pathogens.
Conclusions:
- Safe drinking water for all is a major 21st-century challenge requiring universal microbiological control.
- Routine testing for Escherichia coli via culture methods is recommended for drinking water analysis.
- Further research into ammonia as a screening tool and the ecology of fecal bacteria is needed.
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