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Survival and persistence of nonspore‐forming biothreat agents in water
Author(s) -
Gilbert S.E.,
Rose L.J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2012.03277.x
Subject(s) - atlanta , disease control , infectious disease (medical specialty) , promotion (chess) , persistence (discontinuity) , library science , medicine , family medicine , disease , virology , political science , law , pathology , geotechnical engineering , engineering , metropolitan area , politics , computer science
Aims: To determine whether nonspore‐forming biothreat agents can survive and persist in potable water that does not contain a disinfectant. Methods and Results: Autoclaved, de‐chlorinated Atlanta municipal water was inoculated with eight isolates of bacterial biothreat agents (10 6 CFU ml −1 ). The inoculated water samples were incubated at 5, 8 ( Francisella tularensis only) or 25°C and assayed for viability by culture and by the presence of metabolic activity as measured by esterase activity (ScanRDI, AES Chemunex). Viability as determined by culture varied from 1 to 30 days, depending upon the organism and the temperature of the water. All organisms were determined viable as measured by esterase activity for the entire 30 days, regardless of the incubation temperature. Conclusion: Francisella tularensis was culturable for at least 21 days if held at 8°C. The remaining nonspore‐forming bacterial biothreat agents were found to be metabolically active for at least 30 days in water held at 5 or 25°C. Significance and Impact of the Study: The data can assist public health officials to determine the safety of drinking water after contamination with a biothreat agent.