Contribution of pharmaceuticals, fecal bacteria and endotoxin to the inflammatory responses to inland waters.
The increasing contamination of freshwater with pharmaceuticals, surfactants, pesticides and other organic compounds are of major concern. As these contaminants are detected at trace levels in the environment it is important to determine if they elicit biological responses at the observed levels. In addition to chemical pollutants, there is also a concern for increasing levels of bacteria and other microorganisms in freshwater systems. In an earlier study, we observed the activation of inflammatory systems downstream of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in southern Sweden. We also observed that the water contained unidentified components that were pro-inflammatory and potentiated the immune response in human urinary bladder epithelial cells. In order to determine if these effects were unique for the studied site or represent a common response in Swedish water, we have now performed a study on three WWTPs and their recipient waters in central Sweden. Analysis of immune responses in urinary bladder epithelial cells, monocyte-like cells and blood mononuclear cells confirm that these waters activate the immune system as well as induce pro-inflammatory responses. The results indicate that the cytokine profiles correlate to the endotoxin load of the waters rather than to the levels of pharmaceuticals or culturable bacteria load, suggesting that measurements of endotoxin levels and immune responses would be a valuable addition to the analysis of inland waters.
Örebro Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro SE-70182, Sweden.
Ahmed
A
El Marghani
Örebro Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro SE-70182, Sweden.
Ajay
A
Pradhan
Örebro Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro SE-70182, Sweden.
Asmerom
A
Seyoum
Örebro Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro SE-70182, Sweden.
Hazem
H
Khalaf
Pelagia Miljökonsult AB, Sjöbod 2, Strömpilsplatsen 12, Umeå 90743, Sweden.
Torbjön
T
Ros
Mälarenegi AB, Box 14, Västerås 72103, Sweden.
Lars-Håkan
LH
Forsberg
Karlskoga Energi och Miljö AB, Box 42, Karlskoga 69121, Sweden.
Tomas
T
Nermark
Skebäcks reningsverk, Box 33300, Örebro 70215, Sweden.
Lisa
L
Osterman
Tyréns AB, Västra Norrlandsgatan 10B, 90327 Umeå, Sweden.
Ulf
U
Wiklund
ALS Scandinavia AB, Box 511, Täby 18325, Sweden.
Per
P
Ivarsson
Örebro Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro SE-70182, Sweden. Electronic address: jana.jass@oru.se.
Jana
J
Jass
Örebro Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro SE-70182, Sweden. Electronic address: per-erik.olsson@oru.se.
Per-Erik
PE
Olsson
D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000032:analysis*; D013548:Sweden; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D004731:Endotoxins; D010575:Pesticides; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Bacteria; Cytokines; Immune response; Inflammation; Pharmaceuticals; Wastewater treatment plants