Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-22dnz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T04:16:23.226Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Eijkman test for faecal coli in the bacteriological examination of water supplies1

A survey and discussion of the experimental work from 1929 to the present day with a study of 104 water samples and of 602 cultures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

C. G. Batty-Smith
C. G. Batty-Smith
Affiliation:
From the Public Health Laboratory, Wakefield, Yorkshire
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

1. A historical survey is given of work upon the Eijkman method.

2. A total of 104 water samples were examined by methods I and III. These yielded 602 cultures obtained from the 44 and 37° C. presumptive series, and of these 357 were 44° C.-positive. The only types capable of fermenting lactose at 44° C. were Bact. coli type I and Irregular type II, with the addition of three cultures of intermediate type I and two of aerogenes type I.

3. The relative efficiencies in the detection of Bact. coli of the 44° C. method by direct inoculation and of the 37° C. presumptive test with plating and differentiation were compared. Out of 104 samples, sixty-eight were shown to contain faecal Bact. coli, and in 19% of these the 44° C. method detected Bact. coli when it was not recovered at 37° C. The converse was true in only 13% of samples.

4. The results obtained by other workers in regard to the specificity of incubation at 44° C. and to the various methods hitherto proposed for employing it have been collected and discussed; technical advantages and disadvantages have also been considered.

5. It is concluded: (1) That false positives at 44° C. are a negligible quantity for practical purposes. (2) That the best all-round method to use is Wilson's method IV. (3) That 48 hr. incubation should be given, but that 24 hr. is sufficient when rapidity is desired. (4) That the test should be officially recognized and standards laid down for use with it.

6. Cellobiose was found to be inferior to citrate for the identification of the I.A.C. group.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 42 , Issue 1 , January 1942 , pp. 55 - 98
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1942

References

REFERENCES

American Public Health Association (1936). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Sewage, 8th ed.Google Scholar
Banerjea, R., & Sen, A. K., (1940). A study of the Eijkman test and modifications as given by coliform organisms isolated from human faeces. Indian J. med. Res. 28, 315.Google Scholar
Barber, M. A., (1908). The rate of multiplication of Bacillus coli at different temperatures. J. infect. Dis. 5, 379.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bardsley, D. A., (1938). A comparison of two methods of assessing the number of different types of colfiorm organisms in water. J. Hyg., Camb., 38, 309.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barrit, M. M., (1936). The intensification of the Voges-Proskauer reaction by the addition of α-naphthol. J. Path. Bact. 42, 441.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Batty-Smith, C. G., (1941). The detection of acetyl-methyl-carbinol in bacterial cultures. J. Hyg., Camb., 41, 521.Google ScholarPubMed
Batty-Smith, C. G., (1942). Fermentation of cellobiose by the coli-aerogenes group of bacteria. J. Path. Bact. 54, 45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brewster, K. C., (1929). Preliminary report on the bacteriology of the waters of the Columbia Division. United Fruit Co., Medical Dept. Boston, 18th Report, p. 285.Google Scholar
Brown, J. W., & Skinner, C. E., (1930). Is the Eijkman test an aid in the detection of faecal pollution of water? J. Bact. 20, 139.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
*Bulir, J., (1907). Bedeutung und Nachweis des Bacterium coli im Wasser und eine neue Modifikation der Eijkmanschen Methode. Arch. Hyg., Berl., 62, 1 (quoted from Skinner & Brown, 1934).Google Scholar
Bubke-Gaffney, H. J. O'D., (1932). The classification of the colon-aerogenes group of bacteria in relation to their habitat and its application to the sanitary examination of water supplies in the tropics and in temperate climates. J. Hyg., Camb., 32, 85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clark, W. M., & Lubs, H. A., (1915). The differentiation of bacteria, of the colon-aerogenes family by the use of indicators. J. infect. Dis. 17, 160.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clegg, L. F. L., (1941). The bacteriological examination of water samples with reference to direct and secondary incubation at 44° C. J. Path. Bact. 53, 51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clegg, L. F. L., & Sherwood, H. P., (1939). Incubation at 44° C. as a test for faecal coli. J. Hyg., Camb., 39, 361.Google Scholar
*De Graaff, H. C., (1922). Einige Bemerkungen über die bakteriologische Wasseruntersuchung. Zbl. Bakt. 74, 451.Google Scholar
Dodgson, K. W., (1937). Shellfish and the public health. Publ. Hlth, 50, 279.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dodgson, K. W., (1938). Shellfish and the public health. Proc. R. Soc. Med. 31, 925.Google ScholarPubMed
*Eijkman, C., (1904). Die Gärungsprobe bei 46° als Hilfsmittel bei der Trinkwasseruntersuchung. Zbl. Bakt. 37, 742.Google Scholar
*Eijkman, C., (1912). De waarde der gistingsproef by 46°, als hupmiddel by het wateronderroch. Bull. Inst. Pasteur, 10, 64 (Abstr.).Google Scholar
Ferramola, R., (1940). Wilson method for the bacteriological examination of water. Amer. J. Publ. Hlth, 30, 1083.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ferramola, R., Gilardon, A. A., & Sosa, G., (1939). Experiences with a new method for the sanitary examination of water. I. J. Amer. Waterw. Ass. 31, 1989 (Abstr.).Google Scholar
Ferramola, R., Gelstein, A., & Dolcetti, V. O., (1939). Experiences with a new method for the sanitary examination of water. II. J. Amer. Waterw. Ass. 31, 1990 (Abstr.).Google Scholar
Ferramola, R., & Monteverde, J. J., (1939). Incubation at 44° C. as a means of indicating the presence of B. coli. Bull. Hyg., Lond., 15, 236 (Abstr.).Google Scholar
*Flu, P. C., (1915). De gistingsproef van C. Eykman ter opsporing van faecale verontreinlging van water. Zbl. Bakt. 69, 121 (1920).Google Scholar
Hajna, A. A., (1937). Decomposition of carbohydrates and alcohols with production of gas at 46° C. by members of the genus Escherichia. J. Bact. 33, 339.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hajna, A. A., & Perry, C. A., (1935). A comparison of the Eijkman test with other tests for determining Escherichia coli in sewage. J. Bact. 30, 479.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hajna, A. A., & Perry, C. A., (1938). A modified Eijkman medium for the isolation of Escherichia coli from sewage. Sewage Wks J. 10, 261.Google Scholar
Hajna, A. A., & Perry, C. A., (1939). Optimum temperature for differentiation of Escherichia coli from other conform bacteria. J. Bact. 38, 275.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Happold, F. C., & Hoyle, L., (1934). The quantitative determination of indole in bacterial cultures. Biochem. J. 28, 1171.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Harding, H. E., (1940). Incubation at 44° C. in the examination of water supplies. Lancet, no. 239, 662.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harold, C. H. H., (1935). The Eijkman test. Metropolitan Water Board, 30th Annual Report.Google Scholar
Harold, C. H. H., (1936). The Eijkman test. Metropolitan Water Board, 31st Annual Report.Google Scholar
Harold, C. H. H., (1937). The application of the MacConkey and Koser's citrate tests for the quantitative estimation of coli-aerogenes organisms in raw water. Metropolitan Water Board, 32nd Annual Report.Google Scholar
*Hehewerth, F. H., (1911). Onderroch naar de waarde der gistingsproef by 46° van Prof. C. Eijkman. Bull. Inst. Pasteur, 9, 746.Google Scholar
Horwood, M. P., & Webster, R. A., (1937). Is Escherichia coli a derivative of Aerobacter aerogenes in the human body? J. Bact. 33, 21 (Abstr.).Google Scholar
Iyer, P. V. S., & Raghavachari, T. N. S., (1939). Technique of the methyl-red and Voges-Proskauer tests used in the bacteriological analysis of water. Indian J. med. Res. 26, 885.Google Scholar
Kingsbury, A. N., (1932). The Eijkman test. Annual Report of the Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur.Google Scholar
*Konrich, (1910). Zur Bewertung des Bacterium coli im Wasser. Zbl. Bakt. 48, 186.Google Scholar
Leiter, L. W., (1929). The Eijkman fermentation test as an aid in the detection of faecal organisms in water. Amer. J. Hyg. 9, 705.Google Scholar
Levine, M., Epstein, S. S., & Vaughn, R. H., (1934). Differential reactions in the colon group of bacteria. Amer. J. Publ. Hlth, 24, 505.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mackenzie, E. F. W., (1938). The coliform test. Metropolitan Water Board, 33rd Annual Report.Google Scholar
Mackenzie, E. F. W., & Hilton-Sergeant, F. C., (1938). The coliform bacilli and water supplies (Part II). J.R. Army Med. Cps, 70, 73.Google Scholar
Minkevich, J. E., Alexandrov, N. J., & Soboleva, E. J., (1936). The application of the principle of Eijkman's fermentation test for determining the coli titre of water. J. Hyg., Camb., 36, 50.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Minkevich, J. E., Joffe, F. S., & Shafir, A. J., (1936). A comparative investigation of Bulir's fermentation test at 43° C. and the standard American test at 37° C. J. Hyg., Camb., 36, 64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
*Minkevich, J. E., & Rabinovich, D. Ya., (1936). Arch. Sci. Biol. U.S.S.R. 43, 349 (quoted from Raghavachari & Iyer, 1940).Google Scholar
O'Meara, R. A. Q., (1931). A simple, delicate and rapid method of detecting the formation of aeetyl-methyl-carbinol by bacteria fermenting carbohydrate. J. Path. Bact. 34, 401.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Perry, C. A., (1929). The significance of aerobic non-sporulating bacteria producing gas from lactose in oysters and water. Amer. J. Hyg. 10, 580.Google Scholar
Perry, C. A., (1939). A summary of studies of pollution in shellfish. Escherichia coli versus the coliform group as an index of fecal pollution and the value of a modified Eijkman test. Food Res. 4, 381.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Perry, C. A., & Hajna, A. A., (1933). A modified Eijkman medium. J. Bact. 26, 419.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Perry, C. A., & Hajna, A. A., (1935). Routine use of a modified Eijkman medium in the examination of oysters, crabmeat and other substances. Amer. J. Publ. Hlth, 25, 720.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Raghavachari, T. N. S., & Iyer, P. V. S., (1939). The coli-aerogenes index of pollution used in the bacteriological analysis of water. Indian J. med. Res. 26, 867.Google Scholar
Raghavachari, T. N. S., & Iyer, P. V. S., (1940). The occurrence of the aerogenes group of coliform organisms in faeces and its significance in water analysis. Indian J. med. Res. 28, 55.Google Scholar
Raven, C., Peden, D., & Wright, H. D., (1940). The bacteriological examination of water supplies. J. Path. Bact. 50, 287.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Report (1939). The bacteriological examination of water supplies. Ministry of Health Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects, no. 71. Revised ed.Google Scholar
Ruchhoft, C. C., Kallas, J. G., Chinn, B., & Coulter, E. W., (1931). Coli-aerogenes differentiation in water analysis. II. The biochemical differential tests and their interpretation. J. Bact. 22, 125.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sen, A. K., (1937). Report of the Professor of Public Health Laboratory Practice. Ann. Rep. of the Calcutta School of Trap. Med. 1937, p. 85.Google Scholar
Skinner, C. E., & Brown, J. W., (1934). The failure of Bacterium coli from human faeces to grow at 46° C. in the Eijkman or the Bulir tests. J. Bact. 27, 191.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Skinner, C. E., & Brudnoy, H. G., (1932). The utilisation of citrates and the fermentation of cellobiose by strains of Bacterium coli isolated from human faeces. J. Hyg., Camb., 32, 529.Google ScholarPubMed
Stuart, C. A., Mickle, F. L., & Borman, E. K., (1940). Suggested grouping of slow lactose-fermenting coliform organisms. Amer. J. Publ. Hlth, 30, 499.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Taylor, C. B., (1941). Bacteriology of fresh water. II. The distribution and types of coliform bacteria in lakes and streams. J. Hyg., Camb., 41, 17.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Taylor, E. Windle, (1940). Personal communication.Google Scholar
Taylor, J., & Goyle, A. N., (1931). Eijkman's test applied to water supplies in the tropics. Indian J. med. Res. 18, 1177.Google Scholar
Topley, W. W. C., & Wilson, G. S., (1936). The Principles of Bacteriology and Immunity, 2nd ed.Google Scholar
Wagner, G. S. M., (1931). A study of the Eijkman method for detection of faecal contamination of water. Amer. J. Publ. Hlth, 21, 1256.Google Scholar
Webster, W. J., (1935). A note on Williams' modification of Eijkman's test as applied to Madras waters. Indian J. med. Res. 22, 485.Google Scholar
Webster, W. J., & Raghavachari, T. N. S., (1934). Eijkman's test on water supplies in the Madras Presidency. Indian J. med. Res. 21, 525.Google Scholar
Williams, W. L., Weaver, R. H., & Soherago, M., (1933). A modified Eijkman test for water analysis. Amer. J. Hyg. 17, 432.Google Scholar
Wilson, G. S., Twigg, R. S., Wright, R. C, Hendry, C. B., Cowell, M. P., & Maier, I., (1935). The bacteriological grading of milk. Spec. Rep. Ser. Med. Res. Coun., Lond., no. 206.Google Scholar
Wilson, W. J., (1929). The bacteriological and chemical standards employed in water analysis. J. State Med. 37, 439.Google Scholar
Wilson, W. J., & Blair, E. M. McV., (1925). Correlation of the sulphite reduction test with other tests in the bacteriological examination of water. J. Hyg., Camb., 24, 111.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed