Report No DWI0279
A REVIEW OF THE OCCURRENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF AEROMONADS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO POTABLE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
DWI0279
Aug 1991
SUMMARY
The objective of this study is to review the
literature concerning the occurrence and significance of aeromonads in
potable water distribution systems. Aeromonads have been frequently
recovered from distribution systems where their occurrence has been
considered as a measure of regrowth potential. Also, attention has
focused on the group because of their potential threat to public health.
The conclusions derived from the literature review are set out as follows:
- The classification of the motile aeromonad group has not been
satisfactorily defined. In most cases classification to genus level
would be appropriate.
- The majority of selective media for recovery of aeromonads do not perform entirely satisfactorily.
- Identification of isolates would be better achieved by using a
series of specific biochemical tests in preference to the commercially
available API system.
- In natural waters the numbers of aeromonads exhibit seasonal
variations which could be linked to temperature and selective
utilisation of algal and macrophyte components.
- In potable waters aeromonads respond to an interaction between a
number of factors including chlorine concentration, temperature and
residence time.
- The link between the presence of aeromonads in drinking water and
the outbreak of waterborne gastroenteritis has not been established.
Copies of this report may be available as an Acrobat pdf download under the 'Find Completed Research' heading on the DWI website.