Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in drinking water fountains in urban parks

Abstract

The presence of Staphylococcus aureus in drinking water is a concern because of its potential to cause human infection and also because of its multiple antimicrobial resistance. This study evaluated the water quality of drinking water fountains and mist makers in four municipal parks of São Paulo for 13 months. Although all samples met bacteriological water quality criteria according to Brazilian regulations, the absence of residual chlorine (<0.1 mg/L) was observed. These data were significantly correlated with the frequency of S. aureus that was found in 25.2% of the samples. The mecA gene was detected in 36.7% of the isolates demonstrating its potential for resistance to several antimicrobials. Furthermore, 27.3% isolates carrying mecA gene had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) phenotypic potential. The presence of S. aureus with characteristics of microbial resistance in water for human consumption is an unprecedented finding. Hence, conducting surveillance for opportunistic bacteria, such as staphylococci in drinking water is reasonable to take control measures and to protect human health, especially in public places with high attendance.

eDNA Inactivation and Biofilm Inhibition by the PolymericBiocide Polyhexamethylene Guanidine Hydrochloride (PHMG-Cl)

“…Any further contribution to eDNA levels by biocides could then be assessed by comparison with water-only controls (which lacked biocide treatment). The water-only treatment might release some DNA from cells that survived the preparation of the dehydrated samples through osmotic shock, but it is more likely that in this control, DNA is solubilized from cell debris and the original eDNA of the biofilm (we note that both PA and SA are isolated from fresh and drinking water, indicating that they are adapted to hypo-osmotic conditions [ 33 , 34 ]).…”

“…While PA is capable of flagella-mediated swimming, it is highly aerotaxic and most cells will accumulate at the air–liquid interface and in the meniscus region where biofilm growth dominates. We used water-only treatments to provide positive controls for some assays but do not believe these brief exposures to distilled water would lead to substantial cell lysis through hypo-osmotic shock, as both PA and SA are often isolated from fresh and drinking water and must, therefore, be able to cope with this stress [ 33 , 34 ]. For the biofilm inactivation assay, LB cultures were diluted to 10% and 200 µL aliquots transferred to the wells of a 96-well plate that was incubated at 37 °C for 24 h before the biocide inactivation assay.…”

Dissolved Carbon Dioxide: The Lifespan of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis in Bottled Carbonated Mineral Water

“…The presence of S. aureus in approximately 25% of all investigated samples of drinking water in São Paulo was reported by Santos et al in 2020. All water samples met the bacteriological water quality criteria according to Brazilian regulations, although 27% of the S. aureus -positive samples carried the mecA gene, indicating potential methicillin resistance [ 30 ]. Isolates of S. aureus in rural drinking water specimen was investigated in 1980 and showed no correlation with the presence of total coliform bacteria.…”

Bacterial Contamination and Antimicrobial Resistance in Drinking Water From Food and Drinking Establishments in Shashemane Town, Ethiopia

“…7 The common waterborne enteric pathogens include Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli, Klebsiella, Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium parvum Enterobacter, and Helicobacter. 9 Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging issue that may occur within any bacterial species. These AMR genes may horizontally transfer between bacteria and present a higher risk due to antimicrobial treatment failures.…”