title: Non-pathogenic microflora of a spring water with regenerative properties.
abstract: The Comano spring water (Comano, Italy) has been demonstrated to improve skin regeneration, not only by increasing keratinocyte proliferation and migration, but also by modulating the regenerated collagen and elastic fibers in the dermis. However, such biological properties may not be entirely explained by its mineral composition only. As the non-pathogenic bacterial populations have demonstrated an active role in different biological processes, the potential presence of non-pathogenic bacterial species within the Comano spring water was investigated in order to identify any possible correlation between these bacterial populations and the demonstrated biological properties of this water. The water was collected at the spring using an aseptic procedure and multiple cultures were carried out. A total of 9 different strains were isolated, which wereAeromonas hydrophila,Brevundimonas vesicularis,Chromobacterium violaceum,Citrobacter youngae,Empedobacter brevis,Pantoea agglomerans,Pseudomonas putida,Pseudomonas stutzeriandStreptococcus mitis. All the isolated bacterial strains, although showing a rare potential virulence, demonstrated peculiar and favorable metabolic attitudes in controlling environmental pollution. The therapeutical effects of certain spring waters are currently being proven as correlated not only to their peculiar mineral composition, but also to the complex activity of their resident non-pathogenic bacterial populations. Although the present study provided only preliminary data, some of the non-pathogenic bacterial populations that were identified in the Comano spring water are likely to produce molecular mediators with a role in the wound healing process that, thus far, remain unknown. Numerous other unknown bacterial species, comprehensively termed DNA-rich 'dark matter', are likely to contribute to the Comano water regenerative properties as well. Therefore, the non-pathogenic bacterial populations of the Comano spring water are possibly credited for its demonstrated regenerative properties.
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Clinical Surgical Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy ; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Salvatore Maugeri Research and Care Institute, I-27100 Pavia, Italy ; Advanced Technologies for Regenerative Medicine and Inductive Surgery Research Centre, University of Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicoletti
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, San Matteo Research and Care Institute, I-27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corbella
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Clinical Surgical Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy ; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Salvatore Maugeri Research and Care Institute, I-27100 Pavia, Italy ; Advanced Technologies for Regenerative Medicine and Inductive Surgery Research Centre, University of Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jaber
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, San Matteo Research and Care Institute, I-27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marone
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, San Matteo Research and Care Institute, I-27100 Pavia, Italy ; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scevola
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Clinical Surgical Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy ; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Salvatore Maugeri Research and Care Institute, I-27100 Pavia, Italy ; Advanced Technologies for Regenerative Medicine and Inductive Surgery Research Centre, University of Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faga
keywords: Comano spring water; microbiota; non-pathogenic bacterial species; skin regeneration; spring water