The occurrence of Aeromonas spp in drinking water

Oyama Fuzihara, TerumiPisani, BeatrizSimões, MariseMandel Brígido, BereniceLeopoldo e Silva, ChristinaVannucci, LúciaArioshi, Kioka

The presence of motile Aeromonas spp was investigated in a total of 730 samples of drinking water from different origins: 495 samples from the treated water distribution system, 208 from alternative water supply (65 from artesian wells, 69 from shallow wells, and 74 from springs), and 27 samples of bottled mineral water. The present study indicated that 6.3%, 55.3% and 11.1% of samples from treated water distribution system, alternative water supply, and bottled mineral water were contaminated with Aeromonas spp, respectively. The highest counts of Aeromonas spp were not always associated to the presence of faecal indicators. Aeromonas hydrophila was the most frequently isolated phenospecies in water, followed by Aeromonas caviae (9.8%) and Aeromonas sobria (0.6%). These findings show that further studies are necessary to evaluate the possible risks that the occurrence of Aeromonas spp may pose to public health.

1. bottled mineral water
2. treated water
3. alternative water supply systems
4. água tratada
5. Aeromonas spp
6. fontes alternativas
7. água mineral engarrafada