title: Microbial quality and molecular identification of cultivable microorganisms isolated from an urban drinking water distribution system (Limassol, Cyprus).
abstract: Microorganisms can survive and multiply in aged urban drinking water distribution systems, leading to potential health risks. The objective of this work was to investigate the microbial quality of tap water and molecularly identify its predominant cultivable microorganisms. Tap water samples collected from 24 different households scattered in the urban area of Limassol, Cyprus, were microbiologically tested following standard protocols for coliforms, E. coli, Pseudomonas spp., Enterococcus spp., and total viable count at 22 and 37 °C. Molecular identification was performed on isolated predominant single colonies using 16SrRNA sequencing. Approximately 85% of the household water samples were contaminated with one or more microorganisms belonging to the genera of Pseudomonas, Corynebacterium, Agrobacterium, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Delftia, Acinetobacter, Enterococcus, Enterobacter, and Aeromonas. However, all samples tested were free from E. coli. This is the first report in Cyprus molecularly confirming specific genera of relevant microbial communities in tap water.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, 3603, Limassol, Cyprus. george.botsaris@cut.ac.cy.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Botsaris
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, 3603, Limassol, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Loukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kanetis
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Slaný
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, 3603, Limassol, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Christiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parpouna
authors.affiliation: Water and Health Laboratory, Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health in association with the Harvard School of Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Konstantinos C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Makris
mesh_terms: D000333:Aeromonas; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003535:Cyprus; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology*; D016983:Enterococcus; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water
keywords: 16SrRNA; Microbial quality; PCR; Urban water