Occurrence of thermotolerant Campylobacter species in surface waters of a Mediterranean area and in its prevailing pollution sources.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter in surface waters of a highly populated Mediterranean area.


RESULTS
Surface water and wastewater samples were collected from an area in the north-east of Spain during a 2-year study. All the samples were analysed using the MPN method and Multiplex PCR to quantify and identify Campylobacter. It was detected in 82% of the samples from the Llobregat River with a mean of 1·3 MPN 100 ml(-1). The lowest counts were obtained in summer. Campylobacter coli was the predominant species in this river. The bacteria were isolated from marsh water but not from seawater samples. The highest counts of campylobacters were found in poultry wastewater where Camp. jejuni was the predominant species, as in urban sewage. In pig slurry, Camp. coli was the only species detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Campylobacter jejuni and Camp. coli are present and widely distributed in the surface water of the studied area. The two species co-exist, with Camp. coli being predominant. In river water, campylobacter counts presented a seasonal distribution. No relationship with faecal indicators was found.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides the first data on the occurrence and concentrations of thermotolerant campylobacter species in surface water in a Mediterranean area.
Rodríguez
S
S
Departament de Microbiologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Araujo
R
R
D002167:Campylobacter / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017000:Campylobacter coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D045483:Rivers / Q000382:microbiology; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology; D013030:Spain; D013696:Temperature; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014876:Water Pollution
D012722:Sewage