title: Molecular detection of Helicobacter pylori in a large Mediterranean river, by direct viable count fluorescent in situ hybridization (DVC-FISH).
abstract: Although the precise route and mode of transmission of Helicobacter pylori are still unclear, molecular methods have been applied for the detection of H. pylori in environmental samples. In this study, we used the direct viable count fluorescent in situ hybridization (DVC-FISH) method to detect viable cells of H. pylori in the River Aliakmon, Greece. This is the longest river in Greece, and provides potable water in metropolitan areas. H. pylori showed positive detection for 23 out of 48 water samples (47.9%), while no seasonal variation was found and no correlation was observed between the presence of H. pylori and indicators of fecal contamination. Our findings strengthen the evidence that H. pylori is waterborne while its presence adds to the potential health hazards of the River Aliakmon.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece E-mail: iltirodimos@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tirodimos
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Mattheos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bobos
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Department, AHEPA University Hospital, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kazakos
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece E-mail: iltirodimos@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Anna-Bettina
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Haidich
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece E-mail: iltirodimos@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dardavessis
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kostopoulos
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece E-mail: iltirodimos@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Malamatenia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arvanitidou
mesh_terms: D058491:Bacterial Load; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006115:Greece; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D045483:Rivers / Q000382:microbiology*