Biomaterial Database

[The occurrence of salmonellae in drinking water (author's transl)]. 1979

H E Müller

A total of 7187 samples of drinking water from different areas of the Lower Saxonian District of Braunschweig was investigated according to regulations of the Trinkwasser-Verordnung during June 1977 and May 1979. The bacteriological results are given in Tab. 1 and 2. Salmonellae were isolated in three samples of drinking water and in one sample of sludge from a municipal pipe of drinking water (see also Tab. 2). Additional experiments confirm that growth of salmonellae and other enterobacteria is possible in that sludge (Fig. 1 and 2). These findings implicate some considerations: E. coli and coliforms are the most important microbial water quality indicators of the Trinkwasser-Verordnung. It is presupposed that, when the indicator density is low (less than 1 per 100 ml) the probability that pathogen are present also will be very low. But the question is how low. The risk factor may be estimated on the base of the E. coli-Salmonella ratio in raw sewage of about 10(6). But this relation lessens already in effluents of sewage treatment plants to 10(3) and it seems to be often 10(2) in inadequately disinfected drinking water. For example, we have found four Salmonella serotypes and 408 E. coli during two years. Therefore, the judgement of the presence of E. coli or coliforms in samples of drinking water must impact highly on the improvement of the water quality by disinfection in future.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D004755	Enterobacteriaceae	A family of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that do not form endospores. Its organisms are distributed worldwide with some being saprophytes and others being plant and animal parasites. Many species are of considerable economic importance due to their pathogenic effects on agriculture and livestock.	Coliform Bacilli,Enterobacteria,Ewingella,Leclercia,Paracolobactrum,Sodalis
D004926	Escherichia coli	A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.	Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D005860	Germany, West	The former Federal Republic of Germany which was reunified with the former German Democratic Republic in 1990.	Federal Republic of Germany,Germany, Federal Republic of
D012475	Salmonella	A genus of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that utilizes citrate as a sole carbon source. It is pathogenic for humans, causing enteric fevers, gastroenteritis, and bacteremia. Food poisoning is the most common clinical manifestation. Organisms within this genus are separated on the basis of antigenic characteristics, sugar fermentation patterns, and bacteriophage susceptibility.
D014871	Water Microbiology	The presence of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in water. This term is not restricted to pathogenic organisms.	Microbiology, Water
D014876	Water Pollution	Contamination of bodies of water (such as LAKES; RIVERS; SEAS; and GROUNDWATER.)	Thermal Water Pollution,Water Pollution, Thermal,Pollution, Thermal Water,Pollution, Water,Pollutions, Thermal Water,Pollutions, Water,Thermal Water Pollutions,Water Pollutions,Water Pollutions, Thermal
D014881	Water Supply	Means or process of supplying water (as for a community) usually including reservoirs, tunnels, and pipelines and often the watershed from which the water is ultimately drawn. (Webster, 3d ed)	Supplies, Water,Supply, Water,Water Supplies