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Pereira AC, Cunha MV. Flow Cytometry Coupled with Resuscitation Assays As a High-Resolution Tool to Inform Environmental Management and Disinfection of Settings Affected by Tuberculous Mycobacteria. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1068. [PMID: 38930449 PMCID: PMC11205987 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental decontamination and water disinfection practices are hallmarks of disease prevention and control in agricultural and public health settings. Informed fit-to-purpose biocontainment is thus dependent on methodologies accurately assessing microbial burden and viability. Also, rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of biocontrol measures implies monitoring microbial inactivation after decontamination/disinfection procedures. In this study, we used flow cytometry coupled with a resuscitation protocol to monitor the metabolic inactivation of bacteria capable of entering non-cultivable states, after the application of a chlorine-based water disinfectant. For this purpose, we used Mycobacterium bovis BCG as a model of slow-growing bacteria able to enter dormancy and representing a multi-host pathogen in a zoonotic disease system-animal tuberculosis-thriving both across temperate and semi-arid regions and involving environmental contamination. The biocide activity of a commercial sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) disinfectant against M. bovis BCG was evaluated through mock environmental matrix tests. Using the manufacturer-recommended dosage of NaDCC, BCG cells were apparently inactivated after 24 h upon exposure. However, we show via flow cytometry that, upon exposure to optimal growth conditions, mycobacterial cells were able to regain metabolic activity shortly after, highlighting a sublethal effect of NaDCC at the recommended commercial dosage due to reversible BCG cell damage. In contrast, increasing twice the disinfectant dosage completely inactivated BCG cells after 24 h of exposure, with full irreversible loss of metabolic activity. Methodological workflows based on conventional culture or PCR would have missed the detection of these dormant subpopulations that were in fact able to resume growth when following the recommendations of a commercial disinfectant. This study highlights the superior, high-resolution value of single-cell approaches, such as flow cytometry, to accurately assess the activity of biocides against metabolically heterogeneous and dormant pathogenic bacteria with environmental cycles, supporting data-driven prioritization of environmental management and disinfection options in contaminated vulnerable settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- André C. Pereira
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute (BioISI), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mónica V. Cunha
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute (BioISI), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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2
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Fontaine L, Pin L, Savio D, Friberg N, Kirschner AKT, Farnleitner AH, Eiler A. Bacterial bioindicators enable biological status classification along the continental Danube river. Commun Biol 2023; 6:862. [PMID: 37596339 PMCID: PMC10439154 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05237-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the importance of bacteria in aquatic ecosystems and their predictable diversity patterns across space and time, biomonitoring tools for status assessment relying on these organisms are widely lacking. This is partly due to insufficient data and models to identify reliable microbial predictors. Here, we show metabarcoding in combination with multivariate statistics and machine learning allows to identify bacterial bioindicators for existing biological status classification systems. Bacterial beta-diversity dynamics follow environmental gradients and the observed associations highlight potential bioindicators for ecological outcomes. Spatio-temporal links spanning the microbial communities along the river allow accurate prediction of downstream biological status from upstream information. Network analysis on amplicon sequence veariants identify as good indicators genera Fluviicola, Acinetobacter, Flavobacterium, and Rhodoluna, and reveal informational redundancy among taxa, which coincides with taxonomic relatedness. The redundancy among bacterial bioindicators reveals mutually exclusive taxa, which allow accurate biological status modeling using as few as 2-3 amplicon sequence variants. As such our models show that using a few bacterial amplicon sequence variants from globally distributed genera allows for biological status assessment along river systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Fontaine
- Section for Aquatic Biology and Toxicology, Centre for Biogeochemistry in the Anthropocene, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernv. 31, 0371, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lorenzo Pin
- Section for Aquatic Biology and Toxicology, Centre for Biogeochemistry in the Anthropocene, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernv. 31, 0371, Oslo, Norway
- Norsk Institutt for Vannforskning (NIVA) Gaustadalléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Domenico Savio
- Division Water Quality and Health, Department Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, Vienna, Austria
- Research Group for Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics 166/5/3, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nikolai Friberg
- Norsk Institutt for Vannforskning (NIVA) Gaustadalléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway
- Freshwater Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, Third Floor, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
- School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Alexander K T Kirschner
- Division Water Quality and Health, Department Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University Vienna, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Water Microbiology, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas H Farnleitner
- Division Water Quality and Health, Department Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, Vienna, Austria
- Research Group for Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics 166/5/3, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Eiler
- Section for Aquatic Biology and Toxicology, Centre for Biogeochemistry in the Anthropocene, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernv. 31, 0371, Oslo, Norway.
- eDNA Solutions AB, Kärrbogata 22, 44196, Alingsås, Sweden.
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3
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Srivastava N, Sarethy IP, Jeevanandam J, Danquah M. Emerging strategies for microbial screening of novel chemotherapeutics. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.132419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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4
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Penna P, Baldrighi E, Betti M, Bolognini L, Campanelli A, Capellacci S, Casabianca S, Ferrarin C, Giuliani G, Grilli F, Intoccia M, Manini E, Moro F, Penna A, Ricci F, Marini M. Water quality integrated system: A strategic approach to improve bathing water management. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 295:113099. [PMID: 34175506 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In the Adriatic Sea, massive rainfall events are causing flooding of rivers and streams, with severe consequences on the environment. The consequent bacterial contamination of bathing water poses public health risks besides damaging tourism and the economy. This study was conducted in the framework of WATERCARE, an EU Interreg Italy-Croatia Project, which aims at reducing the impact of microbial contamination on Adriatic bathing water due to heavy rainfall events drained in the local sewage network and; enhancing the quality of local waters; and providing support for the decision-making processes regarding the management of bathing water in line with EU regulations. The study involved the development of an innovative water quality integrated system that helps meet these objectives. It consists of four components: a real time hydro-meteorological monitoring system; an autosampler to collect freshwater samples during and after significant rainfall events; a forecast system to simulate the dispersion of pollutants in seawater; and a real-time alert system that can predict the potential ecological risk from the microbial contamination of seawater. The system was developed and tested at a pilot site (Fano, Italy). These preliminary results will be used to develop guidelines for urban wastewater and coastal system quality assessments to contribute to develop policy actions and final governance decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierluigi Penna
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Elisa Baldrighi
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy
| | - Mattia Betti
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Campanelli
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy
| | - Samuela Capellacci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, DISB, University of Urbino, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | - Silvia Casabianca
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, DISB, University of Urbino, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | - Christian Ferrarin
- Institute of Marine Sciences - ISMAR, National Research Council - CNR, Venice, Italy
| | - Giordano Giuliani
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy
| | - Federica Grilli
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy
| | - Michele Intoccia
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Manini
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Moro
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonella Penna
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, DISB, University of Urbino, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | - Fabio Ricci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, DISB, University of Urbino, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | - Mauro Marini
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
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5
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Tiwari A, Oliver DM, Bivins A, Sherchan SP, Pitkänen T. Bathing Water Quality Monitoring Practices in Europe and the United States. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:5513. [PMID: 34063910 PMCID: PMC8196636 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Many countries including EU Member States (EUMS) and the United States (U.S.) regularly monitor the microbial quality of bathing water to protect public health. This study comprehensively evaluates the EU bathing water directive (BWD) and the U.S. recreational water quality criteria (RWQC) as regulatory frameworks for monitoring microbial quality of bathing water. The major differences between these two regulatory frameworks are the provision of bathing water profiles, classification of bathing sites based on the pollution level, variations in the sampling frequency, accepted probable illness risk, epidemiological studies conducted during the development of guideline values, and monitoring methods. There are also similarities between the two approaches given that both enumerate viable fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) as an index of the potential risk to human health in bathing water and accept such risk up to a certain level. However, enumeration of FIB using methods outlined within these current regulatory frameworks does not consider the source of contamination nor variation in inactivation rates of enteric microbes in different ecological contexts, which is dependent on factors such as temperature, solar radiation, and salinity in various climatic regions within their geographical areas. A comprehensive "tool-box approach", i.e., coupling of FIB and viral pathogen indicators with microbial source tracking for regulatory purposes, offers potential for delivering improved understanding to better protect the health of bathers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananda Tiwari
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland;
| | - David M. Oliver
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK;
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA;
| | - Samendra P. Sherchan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Tarja Pitkänen
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland;
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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Chyerochana N, Kongprajug A, Somnark P, Leelapanang Kamphaengthong P, Mongkolsuk S, Sirikanchana K. Distributions of enterococci and human-specific bacteriophages of enterococci in a tropical watershed. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 226:113482. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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7
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Luna GM, Manini E, Turk V, Tinta T, D'Errico G, Baldrighi E, Baljak V, Buda D, Cabrini M, Campanelli A, Cenov A, Del Negro P, Drakulović D, Fabbro C, Glad M, Grilec D, Grilli F, Jokanović S, Jozić S, Kauzlarić V, Kraus R, Marini M, Mikuš J, Milandri S, Pećarević M, Perini L, Quero GM, Šolić M, Lušić DV, Zoffoli S. Status of faecal pollution in ports: A basin-wide investigation in the Adriatic Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 147:219-228. [PMID: 29636186 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.03.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ports are subject to a variety of anthropogenic impacts, and there is mounting evidence of faecal contamination through several routes. Yet, little is known about pollution in ports by faecal indicator bacteria (FIB). FIB spatio-temporal dynamics were assessed in 12 ports of the Adriatic Sea, a semi-enclosed basin under strong anthropogenic pressure, and their relationships with environmental variables were explored to gain insight into pollution sources. FIB were abundant in ports, often more so than in adjacent areas; their abundance patterns were related to salinity, oxygen, and nutrient levels. In addition, a molecular method, quantitative (q)PCR, was used to quantify FIB. qPCR enabled faster FIB determination and water quality monitoring that culture-based methods. These data provide robust baseline evidence of faecal contamination in ports and can be used to improve the management of routine port activities (dredging and ballast water exchange), having potential to spread pathogens in the sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Marco Luna
- Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), National Research Council, Largo Fiera della Pesca 2, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Elena Manini
- Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), National Research Council, Largo Fiera della Pesca 2, Ancona, Italy
| | - Valentina Turk
- National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station, Fornače 41, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Tinkara Tinta
- National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station, Fornače 41, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Giuseppe D'Errico
- Department for Life and Environmental Science (DISVA), Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Elisa Baldrighi
- Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), National Research Council, Largo Fiera della Pesca 2, Ancona, Italy
| | - Vanja Baljak
- University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Environmental Health, Braće Branchetta 20, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Donatella Buda
- Fondazione Centro Ricerche Marine, National Reference Laboratory (NRL) on Marine Biotoxin, Viale A. Vespucci 2, Cesenatico, FC, Italy
| | - Marina Cabrini
- OGS (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale), Oceanography Division, via A. Piccard 54, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Campanelli
- Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), National Research Council, Largo Fiera della Pesca 2, Ancona, Italy
| | - Arijana Cenov
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Department of Environmental Health, Krešimirova 52a, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Paola Del Negro
- OGS (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale), Oceanography Division, via A. Piccard 54, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Cinzia Fabbro
- OGS (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale), Oceanography Division, via A. Piccard 54, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marin Glad
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Department of Environmental Health, Krešimirova 52a, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Dolores Grilec
- Institute of Public Health of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Croatia
| | - Federica Grilli
- Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), National Research Council, Largo Fiera della Pesca 2, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Slaven Jozić
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Croatia
| | - Vesna Kauzlarić
- Institute of Public Health of Istrian County, Department of Environmental Health, Pula, Croatia
| | - Romina Kraus
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Giordano Paliaga 5, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Mauro Marini
- Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), National Research Council, Largo Fiera della Pesca 2, Ancona, Italy
| | - Josip Mikuš
- University of Dubrovnik, Department of Aquaculture, Ćira Carića 4, Dubrovnik, Croatia
| | - Stefania Milandri
- Fondazione Centro Ricerche Marine, National Reference Laboratory (NRL) on Marine Biotoxin, Viale A. Vespucci 2, Cesenatico, FC, Italy
| | - Marijana Pećarević
- University of Dubrovnik, Department of Aquaculture, Ćira Carića 4, Dubrovnik, Croatia
| | | | | | - Mladen Šolić
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Croatia
| | - Darija Vukić Lušić
- University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Environmental Health, Braće Branchetta 20, Rijeka, Croatia; Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Department of Environmental Health, Krešimirova 52a, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Silvia Zoffoli
- Fondazione Centro Ricerche Marine, National Reference Laboratory (NRL) on Marine Biotoxin, Viale A. Vespucci 2, Cesenatico, FC, Italy
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Quilliam RS, Taylor J, Oliver DM. The disparity between regulatory measurements of E. coli in public bathing waters and the public expectation of bathing water quality. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 232:868-874. [PMID: 30530277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.11.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The main objectives of the European Union (EU) Bathing Water Directive (BWD) 2006/7/EC are to safeguard public health and protect designated aquatic environments from microbial pollution. The BWD is implemented through legislation by individual EU Member States and uses faecal indicator organisms (FIOs) as microbial pollution compliance parameters to determine season-end bathing water classifications (either 'Excellent', 'Good', 'Sufficient' or 'Poor'). These classifications are based on epidemiological studies that have linked human exposure to FIOs with the risk of contracting a gastrointestinal illness (GI). However, understanding public attitudes towards bathing water quality, together with perceptions of relative exposure risks, is often overlooked and yet critically important for informing environmental management decisions at the beach and ensuring effective risk communication. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of current regulatory strategies for informing beach users about bathing water quality, and to assess public understanding of the BWD classifications in terms of exposure risk and public health. Two UK designated bathing waters were selected as case studies, and questionnaires were deployed to beach-users. The bathing waters had different classification histories and both had electronic signage in operation for communicating daily water quality predictions. The majority of respondents did not recognise the standardised EU bathing water quality classification signs, and were unaware of information boards or the electronic signs predicting the water quality on that particular day. In general, respondents perceived the bathing water at their respective beach to be either 'good' or 'sufficient', which were also the lowest classifications of water quality they would be willing to accept for bathing. However, the lowest level of risk of contracting a gastrointestinal illness that respondents would be willing to accept suggested a significant misunderstanding of the BWD classification system, with the majority (91%) of respondents finding only a <1% risk level acceptable. The 'Good' classification is much less stringent in terms of likelihood of GI. This study has shown that the current public understanding of the BWD classifications in terms of exposure risk and public health is limited, and an investment in methods for disseminating information to the public is needed in order to allow beach-users to make more informed decisions about using bathing waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Quilliam
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
| | - Jessica Taylor
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - David M Oliver
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The science of microbial source tracking has allowed researchers and watershed managers to go beyond general indicators of fecal pollution in water such as coliforms and enterococci, and to move toward an understanding of specific contributors to water quality issues. The premise of microbial source tracking is that characteristics of microorganisms that are strongly associated with particular host species can be used to trace fecal pollution to particular animal species (including humans) or groups, e.g., ruminants or birds. Microbial source tracking methods are practiced largely in the realm of research, and none are approved for regulatory uses on a federal level. Their application in the conventional sense of forensics, i.e., to investigate a crime, has been limited, but as some of these methods become standardized and recognized in a regulatory context, they will doubtless play a larger role in applications such as total maximum daily load assessment, investigations of sewage spills, and contamination from agricultural practices.
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Oliver DM, Bird C, Burd E, Wyman M. Quantitative PCR Profiling of Escherichia coli in Livestock Feces Reveals Increased Population Resilience Relative to Culturable Counts under Temperature Extremes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:9497-9505. [PMID: 27454176 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b02657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between culturable counts (CFU) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) cell equivalent counts of Escherichia coli in dairy feces exposed to different environmental conditions and temperature extremes was investigated. Fecal samples were collected in summer and winter from dairy cowpats held under two treatments: field-exposed versus polytunnel-protected. A significant correlation in quantified E. coli was recorded between the qPCR and culture-based methods (r = 0.82). Evaluation of the persistence profiles of E. coli over time revealed no significant difference in the E. coli numbers determined as either CFU or gene copies during the summer for the field-exposed cowpats, whereas significantly higher counts were observed by qPCR for the polytunnel-protected cowpats, which were exposed to higher ambient temperatures. In winter, the qPCR returned significantly higher counts of E. coli for the field-exposed cowpats, thus representing a reversal of the findings from the summer sampling campaign. Results from this study suggest that with increasing time post-defecation and with the onset of challenging environmental conditions, such as extremes in temperature, culture-based counts begin to underestimate the true resilience of viable E. coli populations in livestock feces. This is important not only in the long term as the Earth changes in response to climate-change drivers but also in the short term during spells of extremely cold or hot weather.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Oliver
- Biological & Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling , Stirling FK9 4LA, U.K
| | - Clare Bird
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute , Edinburgh EH9 3FE, U.K
| | - Emmy Burd
- Biological & Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling , Stirling FK9 4LA, U.K
| | - Michael Wyman
- Biological & Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling , Stirling FK9 4LA, U.K
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11
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Henrich N, Holmes B, Isaac-Renton J, Prystajecky N. Exploring readiness for the adoption of new molecular water quality tests: Insights from interviews with policy makers, laboratory managers and watershed managers. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2016; 89-90:12-20. [PMID: 26826358 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Adoption of molecular-based water quality tests has been limited despite their advantage over traditional culture-based tests. A better understanding of the factors affecting adoption of these tests is needed for effective implementation. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to analyze interviews with policy makers, watershed managers and laboratory managers in British Columbia (BC), Canada about their perceptions of molecular water tests currently under development in order to assess readiness for adoption and identify factors that may impact implementation. Many of the CFIR constructs were addressed by study participants, thus confirming their validity in the water-testing context. Other constructs were not mentioned, which suggests that awareness about these constructs need to be increased to ensure that they are incorporated into implementation strategies. In general, there was much enthusiasm for the new tests, which were seen to provide valuable information that could enable improved management of watersheds and treatment of source water. However, prior to adopting the tests, stakeholders would require evidence supporting the tests' validity and reliability, would need to assess the complexity of introducing the tests into laboratories and water sampling processes, and would require support interpreting the test results. Even if all the aforementioned issues are satisfactorily addressed, the tests may not be adopted unless regulations and policies were changed to allow the use of these test results to inform decision making. The results support that implementation of new technologies, such as these water quality tests, need to address potential barriers that could hinder uptake despite the advantages of the new product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Henrich
- Center for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, St. Paul's Hospital, 588-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
| | - Bev Holmes
- Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, 200-1285 West Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3X8, Canada.
| | - Judith Isaac-Renton
- British Columbia Public Health Microbiology Reference Laboratory, Provincial Health Services Authority, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4R4, Canada.
| | - Natalie Prystajecky
- British Columbia Public Health Microbiology Reference Laboratory, Provincial Health Services Authority, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4R4, Canada.
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Oliver DM, Hanley ND, van Niekerk M, Kay D, Heathwaite AL, Rabinovici SJM, Kinzelman JL, Fleming LE, Porter J, Shaikh S, Fish R, Chilton S, Hewitt J, Connolly E, Cummins A, Glenk K, McPhail C, McRory E, McVittie A, Giles A, Roberts S, Simpson K, Tinch D, Thairs T, Avery LM, Vinten AJA, Watts BD, Quilliam RS. Molecular tools for bathing water assessment in Europe: Balancing social science research with a rapidly developing environmental science evidence-base. AMBIO 2016; 45:52-62. [PMID: 26392185 PMCID: PMC4709354 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-015-0698-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The use of molecular tools, principally qPCR, versus traditional culture-based methods for quantifying microbial parameters (e.g., Fecal Indicator Organisms) in bathing waters generates considerable ongoing debate at the science-policy interface. Advances in science have allowed the development and application of molecular biological methods for rapid (~2 h) quantification of microbial pollution in bathing and recreational waters. In contrast, culture-based methods can take between 18 and 96 h for sample processing. Thus, molecular tools offer an opportunity to provide a more meaningful statement of microbial risk to water-users by providing near-real-time information enabling potentially more informed decision-making with regard to water-based activities. However, complementary studies concerning the potential costs and benefits of adopting rapid methods as a regulatory tool are in short supply. We report on findings from an international Working Group that examined the breadth of social impacts, challenges, and research opportunities associated with the application of molecular tools to bathing water regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Oliver
- Biological & Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
| | - Nick D Hanley
- Department of Geography & Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9AL, UK.
| | - Melanie van Niekerk
- Biological & Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
| | - David Kay
- Centre for Research into Environment & Health, Aberystwyth University, Wales, SA48 8HU, UK.
| | | | | | - Julie L Kinzelman
- City of Racine Health Department Laboratory, 730 Washington Avenue, Racine, WI, 53403, USA.
| | - Lora E Fleming
- European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Jonathan Porter
- National Laboratory Service, Environment Agency, Starcross, Devon, EX6 8FD, UK.
| | - Sabina Shaikh
- University of Chicago, 5828 S University Avenue, Pick 121, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
| | - Rob Fish
- School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NR, UK.
| | - Sue Chilton
- Newcastle University Business School, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4SE, UK.
| | - Julie Hewitt
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Economic and Environmental Assessment Branch, Office of Science and Technology, Office of Water, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Elaine Connolly
- Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR, UK.
| | - Andy Cummins
- Surfers Against Sewage, Unit 2, Wheal Kitty Workshops, St Agnes, Cornwall, TR5 0RD, UK.
| | - Klaus Glenk
- Land Economy, Environment & Society, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK.
| | - Calum McPhail
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Eurocentral, North Lanarkshire, ML1 4WQ, UK.
| | - Eric McRory
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Stirling, FK9 4TZ, UK.
| | - Alistair McVittie
- Land Economy, Environment & Society, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK.
| | - Amanna Giles
- Environment Agency, Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AH, UK.
| | - Suzanne Roberts
- Keep Scotland Beautiful, Glendevon House, Castle Business Park, Stirling, FK9 4TZ, UK.
| | - Katherine Simpson
- Economics, Stirling Management School, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
| | - Dugald Tinch
- School of Economics & Finance, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
| | - Ted Thairs
- UK Water Industry Research Ltd, 8th Floor, 50 Broadway, London, SW1H 0RG, UK.
| | - Lisa M Avery
- Environmental & Biochemical Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, Scotland, UK.
| | - Andy J A Vinten
- Social, Economic & Geographical Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, Scotland, UK.
| | - Bill D Watts
- Institute of Environment, Health & Societies, Brunel University, London, UK.
| | - Richard S Quilliam
- Biological & Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
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Mendes Silva D, Domingues L. On the track for an efficient detection of Escherichia coli in water: A review on PCR-based methods. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2015; 113:400-11. [PMID: 25540852 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Revised: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Ensuring water safety is an ongoing challenge to public health providers. Assessing the presence of fecal contamination indicators in water is essential to protect public health from diseases caused by waterborne pathogens. For this purpose, the bacteria Escherichia coli has been used as the most reliable indicator of fecal contamination in water. The methods currently in use for monitoring the microbiological safety of water are based on culturing the microorganisms. However, these methods are not the desirable solution to prevent outbreaks as they provide the results with a considerable delay, lacking on specificity and sensitivity. Moreover, viable but non-culturable microorganisms, which may be present as a result of environmental stress or water treatment processes, are not detected by culture-based methods and, thus, may result in false-negative assessments of E. coli in water samples. These limitations may place public health at significant risk, leading to substantial monetary losses in health care and, additionally, in costs related with a reduced productivity in the area affected by the outbreak, and in costs supported by the water quality control departments involved. Molecular methods, particularly polymerase chain reaction-based methods, have been studied as an alternative technology to overcome the current limitations, as they offer the possibility to reduce the assay time, to improve the detection sensitivity and specificity, and to identify multiple targets and pathogens, including new or emerging strains. The variety of techniques and applications available for PCR-based methods has increased considerably and the costs involved have been substantially reduced, which together have contributed to the potential standardization of these techniques. However, they still require further refinement in order to be standardized and applied to the variety of environmental waters and their specific characteristics. The PCR-based methods under development for monitoring the presence of E. coli in water are here discussed. Special emphasis is given to methodologies that avoid pre-enrichment during the water sample preparation process so that the assay time is reduced and the required legislated sensitivity is achieved. The advantages and limitations of these methods are also reviewed, contributing to a more comprehensive overview toward a more conscious research in identifying E. coli in water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Mendes Silva
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Lucília Domingues
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
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Quilliam RS, Jamieson J, Oliver DM. Seaweeds and plastic debris can influence the survival of faecal indicator organisms in beach environments. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2014; 84:201-7. [PMID: 24878304 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The revised Bathing Water Directive (rBWD) introduces more stringent standards for microbial water quality and promotes more pro-active management of the beach environment through the production of a bathing water profile (BWP). The aim of this study was to determine whether living seaweeds in the littoral zone are colonised by faecal indicator organisms (FIOs), and to quantify the survival dynamics of waterborne Escherichia coli in microcosms containing senescing seaweeds. Living seaweed (Fucus spiralis) was not associated with FIO colonisation, although could be providing a protected environment in the underlying sand. Senescing seaweeds enhanced waterborne E. coli survival compared to plastic debris, with the brown seaweed Laminaria saccharina facilitating greater E. coli persistence than either Chondrus crispus or Ulva lactuca. This has important implications for FIO survival on bathing beaches as the majority of beach-cast biomass is composed of brown seaweeds, which could support significant levels of FIOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Quilliam
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK.
| | - Julie Jamieson
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - David M Oliver
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
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