Helicobacter pylori is a major bacterial pathogen involved in several gastrointestinal diseases. Transmission routes and reservoirs of H pylori are not well understood despite several studies. In contrast to many other infectious diseases, clinical symptoms allowing definitive diagnosis of infection are absent. Person-to-person transmission with faecal-oral and oral-oral routes have been proposed with socio-economic status and density of living as associated factors. Studies have shown that H pylori can survive in water for prolonged periods leading to a waterborne transmission route being proposed but not conclusively identified. This paper describes studies using mature heterotrophic mixed-species biofilms grown under oligotrophic conditions using a continuous-culture chemostat system. The biofilms were challenged with Helicobacter pylori (NCTC 11637). Results indicate the presence of H pylori associated with the biofilm for up to 192h post-challenge, suggesting that biofilms in water distribution systems could be a possible and as yet unrecognised reservoir of H pylori.
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Research Article|
December 01 1998
Biofilms in drinking water systems - a possible reservoir for Helicobacter pylori Available to Purchase
W. G. Mackay;
W. G. Mackay
*Applied Sciences, The Robert Gordon University, St Andrews Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1HG, UK
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L. T. Gribbon;
L. T. Gribbon
**Department of Microbiology, University of Newcastle-upon-TyneNewcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
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M. R. Barer;
M. R. Barer
**Department of Microbiology, University of Newcastle-upon-TyneNewcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
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D. C. Reid
D. C. Reid
*Applied Sciences, The Robert Gordon University, St Andrews Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1HG, UK
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Water Sci Technol (1998) 38 (12): 181–185.
Citation
W. G. Mackay, L. T. Gribbon, M. R. Barer, D. C. Reid; Biofilms in drinking water systems - a possible reservoir for Helicobacter pylori. Water Sci Technol 1 December 1998; 38 (12): 181–185. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.1998.0537
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