Survival and recovery of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in inoculated bottled water.
A methodology used to isolate Escherichia coli O157:H7 from water and survival of this pathogen in inoculated water is described. The methodology used in the isolation of E. coli O157:H7 included the use of selective plating on Sorbitol MacConkey agar (supplemented with potassium tellurite [2.5 mg/liter], cefixime [0.05 mg/liter], and cefsulodin [10 mg/liter], and modified hemorrhagic colitis agar (also supplemented with potassium tellurite [2.5 mg/liter]) and cefsulodin [10 mg/liter]). There were no significant differences (P < 0.05) between the recoveries of E. coli O157:H7 on these two selective media. Direct plating on these selective agars was used to determine the length of time that E. coli O157:H7 was able to grow, remain viable, and be resistant to the selective agents. E. coli O157:H7 survived in inoculated water for up to > 300 days, depending on the type of water. Observation by scanning electron microscopy indicated that E. coli O157:H7 cells attached to, and multiplied on, the container walls.
Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada, Sir Frederick Banting Research Center, Ottawa, Ontario. donvwarburton@hc-sc.gc.ca
D W
DW
Warburton
J W
JW
Austin
B H
BH
Harrison
G
G
Sanders
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000502:physiology*; D014871:Water Microbiology