[Prevalence of Plesiomonas shigelloides in surface water].
Plesiomonas shigelloides is a Gram negative rod that has been implicated in acute gastroenterities, meningitis, bacteremia and osteomyelitis. Is normally found in the environment, in fresh water, fish and birds, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The present study was pursued with the purpose of establish the role of surface water as reservoir and transmission vehicle and to evaluate the seasonal effect on incidence. Surface water samples were isolated on the surface of two selective agars and simultaneously were concentrated using the Seidler technique, submitted to enrichment procedure in alkaline peptone water and isolated on the surface of the selective agars. Isolates were characterized using biochemical test. The prevalence on analyzed samples was 59% and a higher frequency was observed during the warmer season. The use of this water to irrigate vegetable products that are to be consumed without ulterior cooking may represent a risk to the public health.
Hernández
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P
Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas.
Rodríguez de García
R
R
D016981:Plesiomonas / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015995:Prevalence; D014675:Vegetables / Q000382:microbiology; D014687:Venezuela; D014871:Water Microbiology