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Published on: January 18, 2020
Quantifying Salmonella population dynamics in water and biofilms
Qiong Sha1, Dhiraj A Vattem, Michael R J Forstner
1Department of Biology, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA.
Microbial Ecology
|August 15, 2012
Summary
Pathogenic Salmonella strains persist in aquatic biofilms, causing faster deaths in nematodes. These bacteria remain viable in biofilms for weeks, even after qPCR detection limits are reached.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Bacterial pathogenesis
- Aquatic ecology
Background:
- Salmonella are significant zoonotic pathogens.
- They can persist in non-enteric environments like aquatic biofilms.
- Understanding their survival in these niches is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize Salmonella serovars in Spring Lake aquatic biofilms.
- To assess the pathogenicity of isolated Salmonella strains using Caenorhabditis elegans.
- To investigate the survival and population dynamics of Salmonella in water and biofilms over time.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of Salmonella serovars from aquatic biofilms.
- Pathogenicity assays using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
- Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and viability assessments for Salmonella in water and biofilm.
Main Results:
- Salmonella serovars Give, Thompson, and Newport were isolated from Spring Lake biofilms.
- Salmonella isolates were pathogenic to C. elegans, causing rapid mortality.
- Salmonella persisted in biofilms for at least 4 weeks, remaining viable despite declining qPCR detectability.
Conclusions:
- Heterogeneous aquatic biofilms can harbor pathogenic Salmonella.
- These bacteria can survive and maintain viability in biofilms for extended periods.
- Biofilm environments play a role in Salmonella persistence in aquatic ecosystems.
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