Passage of Corynebacterium aquaticum through membrane filters

Cellulose ester and polycarbonate membrane filters were tested for sterilizing capability with a contaminant, Corynebacterium aquaticum, isolated from cell culture medium. This contaminant, often found in water supplies, routinely passes filters of the polycarbonate type, but not of the cellulose ester type. C. aquaticum grows slowly requiring 7 to 10 days incubation in BME at 37 degrees C before turbidity develops. Cryptic contamination is potentially a serious problem with this organism.