Coli Coliforms Research Articles

Development of a “big data” groundwater microbial contamination index and spatial comparisons with enteric infection rates in southern Ontario

Big data have become increasingly important for policymakers and scientists but have yet to be employed for the development of spatially specific groundwater contamination indices or protecting human and environmental health. The current study sought to develop a series of indices via analyses of three variables: Non-E. coli coliform (NEC) concentration, E. coli concentration, and the calculated NEC:E. coli concentration ratio. A large microbial water quality dataset comprising 1,104,094 samples collected from 292,638 Ontarian wells between 2010 and 2021 was used. Getis-Ord Gi* (Gi*), Local Moran's I (LMI), and space-time scanning were employed for index development based on identified cluster recurrence. Gi* and LMI identify hot and cold spots, i.e., spatially proximal subregions with similarly high or low contamination magnitudes. Indices were statistically compared with mapped well density and age-adjusted enteric infection rates (i.e., campylobacteriosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) enteritis) at a subregional (N = 298) resolution for evaluation and final index selection. Findings suggest that index development via Gi* represented the most efficacious approach. Developed Gi* indices exhibited no correlation with well density, implying that indices are not biased by rural population density. Gi* indices exhibited positive correlations with mapped infection rates, and were particularly associated with higher bacterial (Campylobacter, VTEC) infection rates among younger sub-populations (p < 0.05). Conversely, no association was found between developed indices and giardiasis rates, an infection not typically associated with private groundwater contamination. Findings suggest that a notable proportion of bacterial infections are associated with groundwater and that the developed Gi* index represents an appropriate spatiotemporal reflection of long-term groundwater quality. Bacterial infection correlations with the NEC:E. coli ratio index (p < 0.001) were markedly different compared to correlations with the E. coli index, implying that the ratio may supplement E. coli monitoring as a groundwater assessment metric capable of elucidating contamination mechanisms. This study may serve as a methodological blueprint for the development of big data-based groundwater contamination indices across the globe.

An assessment of total coliforms and associated thresholds as water quality indicators using a large Ontario private drinking water well dataset

A spatiotemporally static total coliform (TC) concentration threshold of five colony-forming units (CFU) per 100 mL is used in Ontario to determine whether well water is of acceptable quality for drinking. The current study sought to assess the role of TC and associated thresholds as microbial water quality parameters as the authors hypothesized that, since static TC thresholds are not evidence-based, they may not be appropriate for all well water consumers. A dataset containing the microbial water quality information of 795,023 samples (including TC and Escherichia coli (E. coli) counts) collected from 253,136 private wells in Ontario between 2010 and 2017 was used. To accurately assess the relationship between E. coli and non-E. coli TC, “non-E. coli coliform” (NEC) counts were calculated from microbial water quality data and replaced TC throughout analyses. This study analysed NEC and E. coli detection rates to determine differences between the two, and NEC:E. coli concentration ratios to assess links, if any, between NEC and E. coli contamination. Study findings suggest that spatiotemporally static NEC thresholds are not appropriate because seasonal, spatial, and well-specific susceptibility factors are associated with distinct contamination trends. For example, NEC detection rates exhibited bimodality, with summer (29.4 %) and autumn (30.2 %) detection rates being significantly higher (p < 0.05) than winter (21.9 %) and spring (19.9 %). E. coli detection rates also varied seasonally, but peaked in summer rather than autumn. As such, it is recommended that these factors be considered during the development of private well water guidelines and that static thresholds be avoided. Furthermore, the authors propose that, because NEC:E. coli concentration ratios change in the context of the aforementioned factors, they may have a role in inferring groundwater contamination mechanisms, with high ratios being associated with generalized aquifer contamination mechanisms and low ratios with localized contamination mechanisms.

ANALISIS KUALITAS AIR SUMUR GALI BERDASARKAN INDEKS PENCEMARAN SERTA PERSEPSI DAN PERILAKU MASYARAKAT DI DESA SANUR KAUH DENPASAR SELATAN

The goal of the study was to analyze the water quality of dug wells based on Bali Governor Regulation No. 16 of 2016 and Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia No.492/Menkes/Per/IV/2010, which analyzes the quality status of dug well water and its distribution based on the Pollution Index (IP) value and community behavior in Sanur Kauh Village, South Denpasar. Purposive sampling at three stations with three repeats was used to determine the sample. Temperature, color, taste, odor, TDS, turbidity, pH, DO, BOD, COD, Nitrate (NO3-N), Phosphate (PO4), Chloride (Cl-), Iron (fe), E. Coli, and total coliforms were among the parameters measured in situ and ex situ (laboratory). Questionnaires and interviews with respondents who used dug well water were used to collect data on perception and behavior of components (households, business actors and/or activities, farmers, and the government), which were analyzed using a Likert scale and binary model. Surfer and GIS were used to map the water from an excavated well. The results of the analysis of the quality of dug well water exceeded the Class I Water quality standard set by Bali Governor Regulation No. 16 of 2016 for BOD, COD, phosphate, nitrate, iron, total coliform, and turbidity parameters, as well as the Indonesian Minister of Health Regulation No.492/Menkes /Per/IV/2010 for BOD, COD, phosphate, nitrate, iron, total coliform, and turbidity parameters Population activities, pollution sources, climate, soil type and topography, height and depth of the well all influence the water quality status of dug wells, which is classified as moderately polluted. The average community's impression of the provision of dug well water, water pollution, and waste management is positive, and the average community conduct is positive.&#x0D; Keywords: Shallow Groundwater, Groundwater Quality, Quality Status, Perception, Behavior

Coliform and Escherichia coli Contamination on External and Internal Surfaces of Beef Carcasses with and without Tissue Adhesion Excision

Following removal of hides and viscera during beef processing, carcasses are inspected for tissue adhesions that can affect meat quality or harbor bacteria. Carcasses with pleural or abdominal adhesions may be diverted from the production line for manual excision and then returned to the line. No published data indicate whether adhesion excision is associated with bacterial contamination. Therefore, our objective was to determine the presence and concentration of generic Escherichia coli and non-E. coli coliforms from the internal and external surfaces of carcasses that were, or were not, diverted for adhesion excision. During 9 processing days over a 4-month period in a large commercial beef processing facility, 1,738 carcass sponge samples from 2,730 cm2 areas on both the internal and the external surfaces of carcasses with and without tissue adhesions were collected. Coliforms and E. coli were cultured and enumerated using Petrifilm procedures, and data were analyzed with mixed models. Coliforms were present at higher concentrations than E. coli, and prevalence and mean log concentrations of both coliforms and E. coli were significantly higher for samples from the external than from the internal surfaces of carcasses. However, differences in prevalence and concentration of coliforms between external and internal surfaces varied significantly based on whether carcasses had adhesions excised. The difference was greatest for coliforms present on the external (2.06 log CFU/100 cm2) versus the internal (0.93 log CFU/100 cm2) carcass surfaces without adhesions, whereas the difference in concentrations from the external (1.80 log CFU/100 cm2) and the internal (1.31 log CFU/100 cm2) surfaces of carcasses with adhesions was not as large. These results indicate that surveillance of carcass bacteria may be affected by whether the external versus the internal surfaces are sampled and whether carcasses are diverted for excision of adhesions.

Viabilidade de enterobactérias em unidades de armazenamento de dejetos líquidos de suínos

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of the stabilization process of swine manure in storage ponds regarding the presence and antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria. The study was carried out in two trials in ten swine farms located in the municipality of Presidente Castello Branco, in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. In the first trial, the efficiency in reducing Escherichia coli (EC), non-E. coli coliforms, and Salmonella sp., as well as the resistance of isolates to antimicrobials, was investigated under recommended handling conditions. Sampling was done at three depths and two times. In the second trial, the concentration of total and fecal coliforms (EC) was evaluated under field handling conditions, when the manure was distributed on the field. Sampling depth does not influence the concentration of EC and Salmonella sp., and isolated bacteria are multi resistant to the evaluated antibiotics. Hydraulic retention time is determinant in reducing the population levels of the indicator agents. The obtained results are indicative that swine manure handling must be carried out according to sanitary standards, in order to minimize the propagation risk and antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic microorganisms.

ANALISA ORGANOLEPTIK DAN MIKROBIOLOGI AMDK DAN AMIU YANG DIJUAL SEKITAR KAMPUS UMKU

This study is intended to find the quality of bottled drinking water (AMDK) and drinking water (AMIU) sold around University of Muhammadiyah Kudus, in terms of organoleptic and microbiological parameters in drinking water according to SNI 01-3554-2006 and PMK No. 492 of 2010. The test is carried out using 10 sample of drinking water. They are 7 sample of AMDK (Ades, Airmu, Aqua, Cleo, Crystalin, Le mineral and Vit) and 3 sample of AMIU (Pasuruhan, Prambatan and Purwosari depots). The research consists of organoleptic and mikrobiologi (TPC, presence of E. coli and total coliform). The results of research shows that the organoleptik of all samples is in normal condition. Whereas, microbiologically, the TPC results before dilution were only Cleo and Ades which were suitable for consumption because they were absent from bacterial contamination. While the TPC results after dilution, testing the difference between E. Coli and Total coliform resulted in 7 samples of bottled drinking water which were safe and feasible as drinking water according to SNI 01-3553-2006 and 3 samples AMIU does not fulfil PMK No. 492/2010, as drinking water requirements.

Groundwater source evaluation and quality checks, for drinking and irrigation uses in Eha-Amufu and environs, Eastern Nigeria

The research assesses the suitability of groundwater in Eha-Ndiagu and its Environs, astern Nigeria, for domestic and irrigation uses by analyzing the physicochemical, heavy metal, and bacteriological parameters in the area. The physicochemical analysis revealed that the groundwater is anthropologically contaminated by sewage and agricultural wastes.The forensic relevance and health implications of parameters with comparison to their respective recommended standards were elaborated. The parameter associations such as E coli, Chloride, Nitrate and total coliform counts were used to unravel sewage source of contamination while phosphate,nitrate and potassium were diagnostic of agricultural contamination Based on the conventional water quality index calculations, 60% of the water samples indicates poor water quality while 8% are within the good water range and 32% are within the very poor water range, and this finding was attributed to the presence of faecal and total coliform in the groundwater of the study area. MAR, PI, KR, SAR, and SSP were used to assess the groundwater suitability for irrigation use, and their respective spatial distribution maps were integrated and superimposed, for the production of an irrigation suitability map for the study area, delineating areas with poor, fair and good groundwater quality suitable for irrigation purposes. The map shows that about 95% of the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation purposes while 5% are unsuitable.

ANALYSIS AND MONITORING OF RIVER WATER QUALITY IN TASIKMALAYA CITY

The rivers flowing through the City of Tasikmalaya include the Citanduy River, the Ciloseh River, the Ciwulan River and the Cibanjaran River. While the tributaries are the Cibanjaran River which include the Cihideung/ Dalem Suba River, the Cipedes River, the Ciromban River, the Cidukuh River, the Cicacaban River, the Cibadodon River, the Cikalang River, the Tonggong Londok River, the Cibeureum River and the Cimulu River. These rivers flow and empty into the Citanduy River. The aims and objectives of this study are environmental quality monitoring activities, especially the quality of river water in the Tasikmalaya City. To find out in more detail and carefully the level of pollution that occurs, this study aims to conduct water quality monitoring so that the resulting data can determine the source of pollutants that cause deterioration of river water quality. Monitoring was conducted during the rainy season and the dry season. Based on the monitoring, it appears that the river being monitored does not meet the quality standards as a class II water body with varying status ranging from lightly polluted to heavily polluted. Parameters that do not meet quality standards include TSS, BOD, COD, nitrite, Cr6+, Zn, free chlorine, Total Phosphate, oil and fat, E. Coli and Total Coliform.

Effect of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 powder consumption on the gut microbiota and intestinal health of overweight adults.

BACKGROUNDShifting on lifestyle, diet, and physical activity contributed on increasing number of obese people around the world. Multiple factors influence the development of obesity. Some research suggested that gut microbiota (GM) plays an important role in nutrient absorption and energy regulation of individuals, thus affecting their nutritional status. Report of Indonesia Basic Health Research showed that the prevalence of obesity in every province tended to increase. Although the root cause of obesity is excessive calorie intake compared with expenditure, the differences in gut microbial ecology between healthy and obese humans may affect energy homeostasis. GM affect body weight, especially obesity. Probiotics that are consumed while alive and able to colonize in the intestine are expected to increase the population of good bacteria, especially Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, and suppress pathogens such as Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus. The strain of L. plantarum Dad-13 has been demonstrated to survive and colonize in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy Indonesian adults who consume fermented milk containing L. plantarum Dad-13. The consumption of probiotic L. plantarum Dad-13 powder decreased E. coli and non-E. coli coliform bacteria in school-aged children in Indonesia. L. plantarum is a dominant bacterium in the average Indonesian’s GM. For this reason, this bacterium is probably a more suitable probiotic for Indonesians.AIMTo determine the effect of the consumption of indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 powder in overweight adults in Yogyakarta (Indonesia).METHODSSixty overweight volunteers with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 25 consume indigenous probiotic powder L. plantarum Dad-13 (2 × 109 CFU/gram/sachet) for 90 d. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The volunteers filled in a diary on a daily basis, which consisted of questions on study product intake (only during ingestion period), other food intake, number of bowel movements, fecal quality (consistency and color), any medications received, and any symptom of discomfort, such as diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, gassing, sensation of illness, etc. Fecal samples and the subjects’ diaries were collected on the morning of day 10 + 1, which was marked as the end of the baseline period and the start of the ingestion period. During the ingestion period (from day 11 to day 101), several parameters to measure and analyze the results included body weight and height (once a month), the lipid profile, GM analysis using MiSeq, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis using gas chromatography, and the measurement of fecal pH using a pH meter.RESULTSThe consumption of indigenous probiotic powder L. plantarum Dad-13 caused the average body weight and BMI of the probiotic group to decrease from 84.54 ± 17.64 kg to 83.14 ± 14.71 kg and 33.10 ± 6.15 kg/m2 to 32.57 ± 5.01 kg/m2, respectively. No significant reduction of body weight and BMI in the placebo group was observed. An analysis of the microbiota showed that the number of Bacteroidetes, specifically Prevotella, increased significantly, while that of Firmicutes significantly decreased. No significant change in lipid profile in both groups was found. Also, no significant change in SCFAs (e.g., butyrate, propionate, acetic acid) and pH level was found after the consumption of the probiotic.CONCLUSIONNo significant differences in pH before and after ingestion were observed in both the probiotic and placebo groups as well as in the lipid profile of both cholesterol and triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and the LDL/HDL ratio. In addition, no significant changes in the concentration of SCFAs (e.g., acetic acid, propionate, and butyrate) were found after con-sumption. Interestingly, a significant decrease in body weight and BMI (P < 0.05) was determined in the treatment group. An analysis of GM shows that L. plantarum Dad-13 caused the Firmicutes population to decrease and the Bacteroidetes population (especially Prevotella) to increase.

Non-fecal and fecal coliform tests of ready-to-eat food and drinks using fluorogenic and chromogenic media

The aim of this research was to assess the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat foods and drinks. Fifteen samples were enriched in buffered peptone water (BPW) before tested for the presence of coliforms using two chromogenic media (Chromocult Coliform Agar-Enhanced Selectivity (CCA-ES) and Harlequin E. coli agar (HEC)) and a fluorogenic medium (Readycult Coliform 100 (RC 100)) at 37°C. Results showed that all samples contained non-Escherichia. coli coliforms and 12 of them contained Escherichia coli. Twelve E. coli strains and 15 non-E. coli coliform isolates were isolated. Fecal coliform tests showed that the isolated E. coli from 12 samples were of fecal origin while only 7 out of 15 coliform isolates were fecal non-E. coli coliforms.

Effects of Consumption of Probiotic Powder Containing Lactobacillus Plantarum Dad-13 on Fecal Bacterial Population in School-Age Children in Indonesia

Consumption of probiotics is known to influence the gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of probiotic powder containing Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 on bacterial composition in the gut by examining fecal samples of school-age children in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. A total of 40 healthy subjects were recruited for this study and were divided into two groups: placebo group and probiotic group. The placebo group consumed skim milk and the probiotic group consumed probiotic powder containing L. plantarum Dad-13 (2 × 109 CFU/g) for 65 days. The results showed that placebo intake had no significant effect on gut microbiota; however, probiotic caused a significant increase in L. plantarum and Lactobacillus population, while decreasing the population of E. coli and non-E. coli coliform bacteria by 55% and 75%, respectively and Bifidobacteria count did not change significantly. The study concluded that consumption of probiotic powder L. plantarum Dad-13 could increase propionic acid thereby decreasing the gut pH which has an effect on the microbial population.

Calculation of Potential Risks Assessment of Escherichia Coli and Total Coliform in Communities Well Water of Puty Village, Luwu Regency

Calculation of Potential Risks Assessment of Escherichia Coli and Total Coliform in Communities Well Water of Puty Village, Luwu Regency

Postharvest processing decreases the richness of bacterial taxa in the phyllosphere of broccoli

Diverse bacterial communities residing on the surfaces of fresh vegetables are important for food quality and safety; however, knowledge of the phyllosphere microbiota on fresh vegetables and of how it changes during postharvest stage is poorly understood. We used culturing to quantify bacterial abundance and 16S rRNA 454 pyrosequencing to analyse the bacterial community composition on broccoli florets collected from farms (preharvest) and retail stores (postharvest). The bacterial community compositions of the preharvest and postharvest broccoli were significantly different. The number of non-Escherichia coli coliform bacteria (Hafnia sp. and Rahnella sp.) was higher in the postharvest broccoli than in the preharvest broccoli. Minor bacterial taxa at the phylum and genus levels had markedly disappeared in the postharvest broccoli, resulting in low bacterial species richness in the postharvest broccoli. The dominant bacterial taxa persist and prevail in the phyllosphere of broccoli during the postharvest stage. A popular crop of leafy vegetables, broccoli, is of great agricultural and nutritional importance. This study provides a detailed description of changes in the bacterial community of broccoli in harvest and storage. This study presents novel data on the impact of postharvest conditions on the bacterial populations on broccoli florets.

Matrix Extension Study: Validation of the Compact Dry EC Method for Enumeration of Escherichia coli and non-E. coli Coliform Bacteria in Selected Foods.

The Compact Dry "Nissui" EC method, originally certified by the AOAC Research Institute Performance Test Method(SM) program for enumeration of Escherichia coli and non-E. coli coliforms in raw meat products (Performance Tested Method(SM) 110402), has undergone an evaluation to extend the method's claim to cooked chicken, prewashed bagged shredded iceberg lettuce, frozen cod filets, instant nonfat dry milk powder, and pasteurized milk (2% fat). Compact Dry EC is a ready-to-use dry media sheet containing a cold-soluble gelling agent, selective agents, and a chromogenic medium, which are rehydrated by adding 1 mL diluted sample. E. coli form blue/blue-purple colonies, whereas other coliform bacteria form red/pink colonies. Users can obtain an E. coli count (blue/blue-purple colonies only) and a total coliform count (red/pink plus blue/blue-purple colonies) after 24 ± 2 h of incubation at 37 ± 1°C. The matrix extension study was organized by Campden BRI (formerly Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association Technology, Ltd), Chipping Campden, United Kingdom. Method comparison data for cooked chicken, prewashed bagged shredded iceberg lettuce, frozen cod filets, and instant nonfat dry milk powder were collected in a single-laboratory evaluation by Campden BRI. A multilaboratory study was conducted on pasteurized milk (2% fat), with 13 laboratories participating. The Compact Dry EC method was compared to ISO 16649-2:2001 "Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs-Horizontal method for the enumeration of beta-glucuronidase-positive Escherichia coli-Part 2: Colony-count technique at 44 degrees C using 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl beta-D-glucuronide" and to ISO 4832:2006 "Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs-Horizontal method for the enumeration of coliforms-Colony-count technique," the current standards at the time of this study. Each matrix was evaluated separately for E. coli and non-E. coli coliforms at each contamination level (including an uncontaminated level). In the single-laboratory evaluation (cooked chicken, prewashed bagged shredded iceberg lettuce, frozen cod filets, and instant nonfat dry milk powder), colony counts were logarithmically transformed, and then the data were analyzed at each level for sr, RSDr, and mean difference between methods with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A CI outside a range of -0.5 to 0.5 on the log10 mean difference between methods was used as the criterion to establish a significant statistical difference. In the multilaboratory study on pasteurized milk, after logarithmic transformation, the data were analyzed for sR and RSDR in addition to sr, RSDr, and mean difference with 95% CIs. Regression analysis was performed on all matrixes and reported as r(2). In the single-laboratory evaluation, statistical differences were indicated between the Compact Dry EC and ISO 16649-2 methods for the enumeration of E. coli in two of five contamination levels tested for lettuce, and in the low contamination level for cooked chicken. For the cooked chicken and lettuce at the low level, only a few colonies were recovered for each method, and thus not a true indication of the methods' performance. For the high contamination level of lettuce, counts varied within the sets of five replicates more than 10-fold for each method, which may have contributed to the significant difference. Statistical differences were also indicated between the Compact Dry EC and ISO 4832 methods for the enumeration of coliforms in two of five contamination levels tested for lettuce, two of five contamination levels of milk powder, and in the low contamination level for frozen fish. For the lowest levels of frozen fish and milk powder, only a few colonies were recovered for each method. For the lettuce and the other level of milk powder, counts varied within the sets of five replicates more than 10-fold for each method, which may have contributed to the significant differences indicated in the those contamination levels. In most cases, mean differences between the Compact Dry EC and International Organization of Standardization (ISO) methods were well below 0.5 log10, and the CIs were within the acceptance criterion (-0.5 to 0.5). The sr and RSDr values were similar for both methods, and r(2) values were >0.92 for all comparisons. In the multilaboratory study, no statistical differences were indicated between the methods. The sr, RSDr, sR, and RSDr values were similar for each method and even slightly smaller in most cases for the Compact Dry EC. The r(2) value was 0.97 in comparison to ISO 16649-2, and 0.99 in comparison to ISO 4832. The Compact Dry EC offers comparable results to the ISO standard plating methods in a space saving, easy-to-use format.

Avaliação da qualidade da água subterrânea: estudo de caso de Vilhena – RO

As águas subterrâneas do Aquífero Parecis (AP) representam a única fonte explorada para o abastecimento público de água potável do município de Vilhena - RO. Nesse sentido, a avaliação da qualidade da água determinada por análises físicas, químicas e microbiológicas, podem fornecer subsídios para a compreensão das condições da água consumida. No presente estudo, foram realizadas duas coletas de água subterrânea em 12 poços distribuídos na cidade: a primeira no período de estiagem (seca), em agosto de 2013; e a outra no período chuvoso, em dezembro de 2013. Os parâmetros analisados foram os constituintes iônicos (F&lt;sup&gt;-&lt;/sup&gt;, Cl&lt;sup&gt;-&lt;/sup&gt;, NO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;-&lt;/sup&gt;,Br&lt;sup&gt;-&lt;/sup&gt;,NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;-&lt;/sup&gt;,PO&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;-3&lt;/sup&gt;,SO&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt;,Na&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt;,NH&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt;, K&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt;,Ca&lt;sup&gt;2+&lt;/sup&gt; eMg&lt;sup&gt;2+&lt;/sup&gt;), os quais foram quantificados pela técnica de cromatografia iônica, enquanto que para as análises microbiológicas, o método utilizado foi o de membranas filtrantes em meio cromogênico. Os parâmetros pH e turbidez foram medidos por meio de pHmetro e turbidimetro portáteis. Os resultados apresentaram valores abaixo dos limites estabelecidos pela Resolução CONAMA 396/2008 e Portaria do MS 2.914/2011 para a turbidez e praticamente todos os constituintes iônicos, com exceção do nitrato (6 poços) e de amônia (1 poço), além de um pH ácido. O período chuvoso apresentou maior contaminação por coliformes totais e &lt;em&gt;Escherichia coli&lt;/em&gt; que o período de estiagem, podendo estar associado às más condições dos poços, além de ser um aquífero livre, facilitando o escoamento de possíveis contaminantes. Em função dos resultados, destaca-se a importância do monitoramento constante da qualidade da água nas comunidades usuárias de fontes alternativas, evitando problemas à saúde humana

Do English NHS Microbiology laboratories offer adequate services for the diagnosis of UTI in children? Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) Audit of Standard Operational Procedures.

The National Institute of Care Excellence (NICE) 2007 guidance CG54, on urinary tract infection (UTI) in children, states that clinicians should use urgent microscopy and culture as the preferred method for diagnosing UTI in the hospital setting for severe illness in children under 3 years old and from the GP setting in children under 3 years old with intermediate risk of severe illness. NICE also recommends that all ‘infants and children with atypical UTI (including non-Escherichia coli infections) should have renal imaging after a first infection’. We surveyed all microbiology laboratories in England with Clinical Pathology Accreditation to determine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for urgent microscopy, culture and reporting of children's urine and to ascertain whether the SOPs facilitate compliance with NICE guidance. We undertook a computer search in six microbiology laboratories in south-west England to determine urine submissions and urine reports in children under 3 years. Seventy-three per cent of laboratories (110/150) participated. Enterobacteriaceae that were not E. coli were reported only as coliforms (rather than non-E. coli coliforms) by 61 % (67/110) of laboratories. Eighty-eight per cent of laboratories (97/110) provided urgent microscopy for hospital and 54 % for general practice (GP) paediatric urines; 61 % of laboratories (confidence interval 52–70 %) cultured 1 μl volume of urine, which equates to one colony if the bacterial load is 106 c.f.u. l− 1. Only 22 % (24/110) of laboratories reported non-E. coli coliforms and provided urgent microscopy for both hospital and GP childhood urines; only three laboratories also cultured a 5 μl volume of urine. Only one of six laboratories in our submission audit had a significant increase in urine submissions and urines reported from children less than 3 years old between the predicted pre-2007 level in the absence of guidance and the 2008 level following publication of the NICE guidance. Less than a quarter of laboratories were providing a service that would allow clinicians to fully comply with the first line recommendations in the 2007 NICE UTI in children guidance. Laboratory urine submission report figures suggest that the guidance has not led to an increase in diagnosis of UTI in children under 3 years old.

Seasonal and within-herd variability of E. coli concentrations in fresh dairy faeces

The aim of this study was to determine concentrations of culturable faecal indicator organisms (FIOs) in freshly excreted dairy faeces and assess seasonal, within-herd and year-on-year variability in counts. Such values are essential in order to provide input parameters and associated uncertainty bounds for empirical models designed to determine the burden of FIOs on pasture. A longitudinal faecal analysis survey (n = 80) was conducted at a conventional dairy farm in central Scotland over a 2-year period. The analysis quantified counts of Escherichia coli and other nonE. coli coliforms and compared the concentrations of these FIO groups across contrasting seasons. The overall mean concentration of E. coli was 6.63 and 6.58 log10 CFU g(-1) dry weight in 2012 and 2013, respectively. However, concentrations of E. coli in faecal pats on each seasonal sampling event were highly variable and spanned several orders of magnitude on all occasions. Concentrations of E. coli in faeces excreted in winter were found to be lower than those excreted in all other seasons in 2012, though patterns of seasonal shedding were not consistent in observations the following year highlighting additional sources of uncertainty in FIO loading to land from dairy herds. This study provides a comprehensive temporal data set of faecal indicator organism (FIO) counts (both E. coli and other coliforms) in fresh dairy faeces for Scotland. Such faecal audits for the UK are scarce which is surprising given that livestock constitute one of the largest agricultural sources of diffuse microbial pollution of surface waters and contributors to poor bathing water quality. Such FIO concentration data (and evaluation of variability across seasonal, within-herd and year-on-year counts) in fresh faeces is a fundamental precursor to the robust parameterization of models that aim to predict the fate and transfer of both FIOs and pathogens in agricultural catchments.

Validation of the MicroSnap Coliform and E. coli Test System for Enumeration and Detection of Coliforms and E. coli in a Variety of Foods.

The MicroSnap Coliform and E. coli system was devised to give rapid enumeration and detection of coliforms and/or Escherichia coli strains in a sample of food within an 8 h working shift. The method measures β-galactosidase and β-glucuronidase enzymes using novel bioluminogenic substrates which develop an output light signal proportional to the concentration of enzyme discovered. The assay uses two different phases to determine the enzyme concentration. The first phase is an enrichment of the sample in a nutrient-rich broth device at 37 ± 0.5°C. After 6 or 8 h, an aliquot is taken from the enrichment device and injected into the Coliform Detection Device, which is assayed in a luminometer after 10 min of incubation at 37 ± 0.5°C. Samples testing positive in the Coliform Detection Device can be subsequently assayed specifically for E. coli using the E. coli Detection Device. The relative light unit output from the detection device is proportional to the bacterial concentration when the incubation was initiated, which is proportional to the contamination level in the matrix being assessed. The MicroSnap Coliform and E. coli system was evaluated for both quantitative and qualitative analysis of coliforms and E. coli in a variety of foods. Three different luminometers were used in the analysis, each of which has different functionalities and different sensitivities. The MicroSnap method showed good correlation with the appropriate corresponding reference method for enumeration of coliforms and E. coli. A statistically significant difference was seen in detection of E. coli in milk, as reported by the independent laboratory. The reference method reported higher mean Log10 CFU counts than the MicroSnap method; however, no significant differences were seen between the MicroSnap system and reference methods for any of the other matrixes. Inclusivity testing was conducted on 25 different non-E. coli coliforms and 25 different E. coli strains, and exclusivity testing was conducted on 30 different species of nontarget organisms. Two E. coli strains were not detected in the Coliform Detection Device after 8 h on one of the instruments. All other inclusivity strains tested were detected after 8 h of incubation. None of the exclusivity strains were detected. The lot-to-lot and kit stability studies showed no statistical differences between lots or over the term of the shelf-life. Robustness studies indicate that the timing of incubation for the detection phase is critical for correct system functioning.

Water-pollution study based on the physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of the Semenyih River, Selangor, Malaysia

The Semenyih River is one of the most important rivers in Selangor, Malaysia, because it functions as a resource for domestic water supply, fishing, and recreation. It has been adversely affected by urban and industrial wastes since the early 1990s. This study assessed the contamination status of the Semenyih River based on the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysian rivers (NWQS) and the national Water Quality Index (WQI) classifications. Although 10 of the waterquality parameters were within the recommended levels for the NWQS, levels of phosphate (PO4), E. coli, and total coliform bacteria were found to exceed the threshold. The Semenyih River is polluted by human activities from its upstream section (contamination by E. coli, coliform bacteria, and PO4) and is therefore characterized as Class III based on NWQS classificationBased on WQI, the Semenyih River was classified as slightly polluted and placed in Class II for Malaysian rivers at all sampling stations except stations 5 and 7, which were...

The study of diagnostic techniques for the sources of Escherichia coli at Ta-An Beach

Ta-an Beach in Taichung County, central Taiwan, was found to have exceeded 1,000 CFU/100 ml, 51% of the total monitoring records. It is difficult to identify the contamination source using traditional Escherichia coli and Enterococci analysis. Therefore, a more advanced method known as molecular biotechnology is adopted in this study to diagnose the sources of E. coli at Ta-An Beach. After comparing several different groups of micro-organisms in water samples, we know that there are E. coli and Bacillus. This shows that the beach water quality is indeed affected by contamination from land drainage, and the numbers of E. coli and non-E. coli coliform in land drainage is far greater than that normally found at the beach. The analytical methods and techniques used in this study were not significantly different from the results detected using standard data analysis. The proposed method has high stability and reliability, providing ways to track and identify future of contamination.