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. 2016 Mar 9;13(3):304.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph13030304.

Fungi from a Groundwater-Fed Drinking Water Supply System in Brazil

Helena M B Oliveira  1 , Cledir Santos  2 , R Russell M Paterson  3 , Norma B Gusmão  4 , Nelson Lima  5
Affiliations

Fungi from a Groundwater-Fed Drinking Water Supply System in Brazil

Helena M B Oliveira et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Filamentous fungi in drinking water distribution systems are known to (a) block water pipes; (b) cause organoleptic biodeterioration; (c) act as pathogens or allergens and (d) cause mycotoxin contamination. Yeasts might also cause problems. This study describes the occurrence of several fungal species in a water distribution system supplied by groundwater in Recife-Pernambuco, Brazil. Water samples were collected from four sampling sites from which fungi were recovered by membrane filtration. The numbers in all sampling sites ranged from 5 to 207 colony forming units (CFU)/100 mL with a mean value of 53 CFU/100 mL. In total, 859 isolates were identified morphologically, with Aspergillus and Penicillium the most representative genera (37% and 25% respectively), followed by Trichoderma and Fusarium (9% each), Curvularia (5%) and finally the species Pestalotiopsis karstenii (2%). Ramichloridium and Leptodontium were isolated and are black yeasts, a group that include emergent pathogens. The drinking water system in Recife may play a role in fungal dissemination, including opportunistic pathogens.

Keywords: filamentous fungi; pathogens; water distribution system; yeasts.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Quantification of water fungi express in colony forming units (CFU)/100 mL in different sampling sites and period. TP: Water treatment plant; UR: Univ. restaurant; PEC: Physical education center; UH: Univ. hospital.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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