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Faecal contamination indicators, salmonella, vibrio and aeromonas in water used for the irrigation of agricultural products

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2004

A. PIANETTI ,
L. SABATINI ,
F. BRUSCOLINI ,
F. CHIAVERINI  and
G. CECCHETTI
A. PIANETTI
Affiliation:
Institute of Toxicological, Hygienic and Environmental Sciences, University of Urbino, Italy
L. SABATINI
Affiliation:
Institute of Toxicological, Hygienic and Environmental Sciences, University of Urbino, Italy
F. BRUSCOLINI
Affiliation:
Institute of Toxicological, Hygienic and Environmental Sciences, University of Urbino, Italy
F. CHIAVERINI
Affiliation:
Institute of Clinical Physiology – CNR, Pisa, Italy
G. CECCHETTI
Affiliation:
Environmental Ecology and Technology, University of Urbino, Italy
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Abstract

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The faecal contamination indicators (total coliforms, faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci) and the genera Salmonella, Vibrio, Aeromonas were investigated in water samples used for irrigation. During 4 months, 52 samples were taken. The methods used were: multiple tube fermentation method for faecal contamination indicators and membrane filtration techniques for salmonella, aeromonas and vibrio. Two samples were positive for Salmonella spp., fourteen for Aeromonas spp. and no samples for Vibrio spp. No correlation was found between aeromonas and the indicators of faecal contamination. Regarding Aeromonas spp., 21·6% of the strains were adhesive and 12·6% cytotoxic: this confirms the possible role of aeromonas in human pathologies. These results are important to determine the quality of irrigation water in relation to human health. In fact, the spray or sprinkler irrigation produces bioaerosol, which can contaminate the crops that are likely to be eaten uncooked. In addition, the flood or furrow irrigation represents a risk to field workers.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 132 , Issue 2 , April 2004 , pp. 231 - 238
Copyright
© 2003 Cambridge University Press