The Coliform Index and Waterborne Disease


Book Description

In the past decade there has been a rapid increase in waterborne outbreaks of disease associated with viral and protozoan agents, normally in drinking waters that were found to be microbially safe using the Coliform Index.For nearly a quarter of a century indicator organisms, in particular the coliform group, have been used to ensure the microbial




Indicator Systems for Assessing Public Health Risk in Waters


Book Description

Abstract: For over one hundred years, indicator organisms such as coliforms have been measured as an index of public health risk from transmission of waterborne diseases. Even so, waterborne disease outbreaks have occurred in systems with negative coliform results, many traced to viral or protozoan etiologies. Conversely, no discernible public health outcomes have occurred in systems with positive coliform results. These inconsistencies arise because coliforms, as bacteria, respond differently to environmental stressors and engineered treatment processes than protozoan and viral pathogens. Recent reviews of four decades of indicator and pathogen monitoring indicated that coliphages are more highly correlated to pathogen presence in a variety of waters than coliforms. Therefore, the goal of this research was to re-examine a variety of traditional and novel indicator systems to determine their value as indicators, either singly or as a toolbox. We collected samples of animal feces, wastewaters, source waters and treated drinking waters. Samples were collected from four geographical regions of the United States (Northeast, South, Midwest and West) to assess spatial variability and in all four seasons to assess temporal variability. Samples were monitored for total coliforms, E. coli, male-specific and somatic coliphages, and other physical and chemical water quality parameters including organic carbon, pH and turbidity. The detection of coliforms and E. coli in this study's drinking waters suggests fecal contamination and supports the need for indicator monitoring in drinking water systems. The strength of bacterial indicators (coliforms and E. coli) was supported in this study by the fact that there was no seasonal variance in wastewaters or drinking waters. In addition, coliforms and E. coli did not vary by region in drinking waters. Male-specific and somatic coliphages proved to be promising indicators. In this study, male-specific coliphages correlated to bacterial indicators in animal feces. Both coliphages were able to survive various environmental conditions, wastewater treatment, and drinking water treatment processes. Neither of the coliphages varied by season in untreated drinking waters. An area of concern for both male-specific and somatic coliphages was the high level of non-detects. The thermotolerance of male-specific coliphages is also an area of concern for its use as a good universal indicator.




Waterborne Diseases in the US


Book Description

This book examines, in both a current and historical context, water-related illness in the U.S. Emphasis is placed upon the transmission of infectious diseases through contaminated drinking water supplies and those deficiencies in water supply systems which allow waterborne outbreaks to occur. Chapters have been included on the important etiologic agents responsible for waterborne outbreaks in the U.S., surveillance activities, regulations, water treatment to prevent the occurrence of waterborne outbreaks and procedures for investigating waterborne outbreaks. For completeness, discussion have been included on illnesses contracted by ingestion of contact with waters for bathing , swimming, or wading and chronic ingestion of low levels of chemical contaminants in drinking water; however, because of space limitations there are necessarily brief, and the reader is directed toward the provided references, which discuss these subjects in more depth.




Indicators for Waterborne Pathogens


Book Description

Recent and forecasted advances in microbiology, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry have made it timely to reassess the current paradigm of relying predominantly or exclusively on traditional bacterial indicators for all types of waterborne pathogens. Nonetheless, indicator approaches will still be required for the foreseeable future because it is not practical or feasible to monitor for the complete spectrum of microorganisms that may occur in water, and many known pathogens are difficult to detect directly and reliably in water samples. This comprehensive report recommends the development and use of a "tool box" approach by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and others for assessing microbial water quality in which available indicator organisms (and/or pathogens in some cases) and detection method(s) are matched to the requirements of a particular application. The report further recommends the use of a phased, three-level monitoring framework to support the selection of indicators and indicator approaches.Â




Global Issues in Water, Sanitation, and Health


Book Description

As the human population grows-tripling in the past century while, simultaneously, quadrupling its demand for water-Earth's finite freshwater supplies are increasingly strained, and also increasingly contaminated by domestic, agricultural, and industrial wastes. Today, approximately one-third of the world's population lives in areas with scarce water resources. Nearly one billion people currently lack access to an adequate water supply, and more than twice as many lack access to basic sanitation services. It is projected that by 2025 water scarcity will affect nearly two-thirds of all people on the planet. Recognizing that water availability, water quality, and sanitation are fundamental issues underlying infectious disease emergence and spread, the Institute of Medicine held a two-day public workshop, summarized in this volume. Through invited presentations and discussions, participants explored global and local connections between water, sanitation, and health; the spectrum of water-related disease transmission processes as they inform intervention design; lessons learned from water-related disease outbreaks; vulnerabilities in water and sanitation infrastructure in both industrialized and developing countries; and opportunities to improve water and sanitation infrastructure so as to reduce the risk of water-related infectious disease.










Procedures to Investigate Waterborne Illness


Book Description

Written by a team of international experts, this third edition designed to guide public health personnel or teams in any country that investigates reports of alleged waterborne illnesses. The manual is based on epidemiologic principles and investigative techniques that have been found effective in determining causal factors of disease incidence. The guidelines are presented in the sequence usually followed during investigations and are organized so that an investigator can easily find the information needed in any phase of an investigation. The book services as a guide to: • Develop a waterborne disease surveillance and emergency operations program • Handle illness alerts and water-related complaints that may be related to illness • Interview ill persons, those at risk, and controls • Develop a case definition • Transport water specimens and clinical specimens • Trace sources of contamination • Identify factors responsible for contamination, survival of pathogenic microorganisms or toxic substances, and/or propagation of pathogens • Collate and interpret collected data • Report information about the outbreak This edition has been extensively updated. A section has been added on water not intended for drinking as a source of illness. The chapter on “collection and analysis of data” has been significantly expanded to explain how data is collected and used to suggest possible vehicles, routes, and agents. The book is designed to improve the quality of investigation of outbreaks and disease surveillance. The International Association for Food Protection is a non-profit association of food safety professionals. Dedicated to the life-long educational needs of its Members, IAFP provides Members with an information network through its two scientific journals (Food Protection Trends and Journal of Food Protection), its educational Annual Meeting, international meetings and symposia along with international interaction between food safety professionals.




Waterborne Disease Outbreaks


Book Description




Pathogenic Mycobacteria in Water


Book Description

Environmental mycobacteria can be found in diverse environments around the world and most appear to exhibit a saprophytic lifestyle. However, some have the ability to infect animals, birds and humans, and have evolved mechanisms by which they can invade and grow within host cells: the pathogenic environmental mycobacteria (PEM). Although the diseases caused by these organisms have been known for many years, it is only recently that the potential significance of PEM as a waterborne pathogen has been appreciated. Pathogenic Mycobacteria in Water describes the current knowledge of the distribution of PEM in water and other parts of the environment. The routes of transmission that lead to human infection are discussed and there is a detailed analysis of the most significant disease symptoms that can follow infection. Many species of PEM are difficult to isolate in culture and so detection and identification rely upon the use modern techniques such as those based on selective nucleic acid amplification (PCR). The classical and modern methods of analysis are described. The book concludes with a discussion of the issues surrounding the control of PEM in drinking-water and the assessment and management of risks. Pathogenic Mycobacteria in Water has been developed from an expert workshop convened by the World Health Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Contents Natural ecology and survival in water of mycobacteria of potential public health significance Environmental sources of Mycobacterium avium linked to routes of exposure Biology of waterborne pathogenic mycobacteria Analytical methods for the detection of waterborne and environmental pathogenic mycobacteria The Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis problem and its relation to the causation of Crohn disease Disseminated infection, cervical adenitis and other MAC infections Skin, Bone, and Soft Tissue Infections Pulmonary infection in non-HIV infected individuals Disease resulting from contaminated equipment and invasive procedures Control, Treatment and Disinfection of Mycobacterium avium Complex in Drinking Water Approaches to risk management in priority settings