title: The survival patterns of selected faecal bacteria in tropical fresh waters.
abstract: The survival of various faecal bacteria used as indicators of the faecal contamination of water supplies has been investigated in a tropical environment (Sierra Leone). Isolates representing the thermotolerant coliform (TtC) and faecal streptococcus (FS) groups, Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella spp. were studied over a 48 h period of immersion in water from three different sources. Survival patterns varied according to source type, but some general observations were made: a portion of the TtC group was apparently capable of substantial regrowth; FS organisms died off at a faster rate than TtC organisms initially, but survived longer; vegetative cells of C. perfringens died off rapidly; and Salmonella spp. could survive for as long as the other faecal organisms tested. The implications of results for the analysis of tropical waters for faecal contamination are discussed.
authors.affiliation: UNICEF, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000254:growth & development; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000254:growth & development; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005618:Fresh Water; D006801:Humans; D012475:Salmonella / Q000254:growth & development; D012621:Seasons; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000254:growth & development; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014876:Water Pollution