Evaluation of the effect of temperature and nutrients on the survival ofCampylobacterspp. in water microcosms

Abstract

C . T HO M AS , D . J. HI L L A ND M .M AB E Y. 1999. Batch microcosms containing various water types (de-ionized and river water with or without sediment), incubated at a range of temperatures (5-37°C), were used to facilitate a comparative evaluation of the significance of such variables and their interactions upon the collective and individual survival of four species of thermophilic Campylobacter. All variables significantly influenced (P ³ 0·031) population decay rates. Minimal decay for the group was identified at low temperatures (5°C) in river water, i.e. nutrient-containing microcosms. Collective decay rates within river water microcosms were significantly decreased (P 0·03) from those observed in de-ionized water, particularly at environmental temperatures (5 and 15°C). However, the increased nutrient levels observed in sedimentcontaining microcosms did not significantly (P 0·41) reduce population decay rates. Overall, Camp. jejuni populations demonstrated the most resilience to the environmental stressors evaluated, with the exception of 15°C where Camp. lari was the most persistent. Campylobacter coli and Camp. upsaliensis demonstrated comparable survival characteristics but were less resilient than Camp. jejuni and Camp. lari. These observations identify the suitability of water systems as a reservoir and medium for Campylobacter infection, and potentially identifies Camp. jejuni and Camp. lari as the main protagonists of water-mediated campylobacteriosis.

Genotypic and Antibiotic Susceptibility Characteristics of a Campylobacter coli Population Isolated from Dairy Farmland in the United Kingdom

“…It has also been reported that a laboratory strain of C. coli is less well adapted to survival in water than C. jejuni or C. lari is (37). The present study supports the view that C. coli is widely distributed in environmental water and further suggests the possibility that there is a strain or strains associated with this medium, whose existence would have significant ramifications for exposure risks associated with environmental water sources.…”

Development of a risk-based index for source water protection planning, which supports the reduction of pathogens from agricultural activity entering water resources

“…In surface waters, sunlight reduces the longevity of bacteria, whereas factors, such as turbidity that decrease the transmission of light tend to increase survival time (Aramini et al, 2000). Campylobacter survival rates in freshwater can be up to 4 months with survival greatest at 4 1C (Rollins and Colwell, 1986;Thomas et al, 1999). Survival time, however, is highly dependent upon strain type, previous growth conditions, water quality, and environmental conditions (Buswell et al, 1998(Buswell et al, , 1999.…”

Sources of Campylobacter Colonization in Broiler Chickens

“…Experimental evidence suggests that under such conditions C. jejuni generates forms that are viable but nonculturable, especially in the presence of biofilms derived from poultry houses (101). The survival of such forms for periods of up to 4 months has been recorded (79), but survival times appear to vary with water temperature, strain, the aquatic system used, and previous growth conditions (11,98,99). There has been considerable debate as to whether such water-stressed bacteria retain infectivity.…”