Microbial diversities (16S and 18S rRNA gene pyrosequencing) and environmental pathogens within drinking water biofilms grown on the common premise plumbing materials unplasticized polyvinylchloride and copper.
Drinking water (DW) biofilm communities influence the survival of opportunistic pathogens, yet knowledge about the microbial composition of DW biofilms developed on common in-premise plumbing material is limited. Utilizing 16S and 18S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, this study characterized the microbial community structure within DW biofilms established on unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) and copper (Cu) surfaces and the impact of introducing Legionella pneumophila (Lp) and Acanthamoeba polyphaga. Mature (> 1 year old) biofilms were developed before inoculation with sterilized DW (control, Con), Lp, or Lp and A. polyphaga (LpAp). Comparison of uPVC and Cu biofilms indicated significant differences between bacterial (P = 0.001) and eukaryotic (P < 0.01) members attributable to the unique presence of several family taxa: Burkholderiaceae, Characeae, Epistylidae, Goniomonadaceae, Paramoebidae, Plasmodiophoridae, Plectidae, Sphenomonadidae, and Toxariaceae within uPVC biofilms; and Enterobacteriaceae, Erythrobacteraceae, Methylophilaceae, Acanthamoebidae, and Chlamydomonadaceae within Cu biofilms. Introduction of Lp alone or with A. polyphaga had no effect on bacterial community profiles (P > 0.05) but did affect eukaryotic members (uPVC, P < 0.01; Cu, P = 0.001). Thus, established DW biofilms host complex communities that may vary based on substratum matrix and maintain consistent bacterial communities despite introduction of Lp, an environmental pathogen.
Dynamac Corp c/o US EPA, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Helen Y
HY
Buse
Jingrang
J
Lu
Xinxin
X
Lu
Xiaozhen
X
Mou
Nicholas J
NJ
Ashbolt
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D044822:Biodiversity; D018441:Biofilms; D003300:Copper; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000502:physiology; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D012498:Sanitary Engineering; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D060766:Drinking Water; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; D003300:Copper; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride
16S rRNA gene V4 & V6 region; 18S rRNA gene V1 & V3 region; Acanthamoeba polyphaga; Copper; Legionella pneumophila; PVC