Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jkksz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T15:11:59.651Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

B. coli as an Index of Faecal Pollution of Water Supplies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

Doris A. Bardsley
Doris A. Bardsley
Affiliation:
(From Department of Bacteriology and Preventive Medicine, Victoria University of Manchester.)
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The present investigation deals with the routine bacteriological examination of 525 samples of water, 265 of which contained lactose fermenting bacilli; 1441 strains were isolated and various differential tests were used in the classification of these organisms.

All the strains were tested in dextrose phosphate culture for the methyl red and the Voges and Proskauer reactions, and although most of them gave normal results (M.R. + V.P. 0 or M.R. 0 V.P. +), there were 25 strains, 1·73 per cent., which gave either double positive or double negative reactions. Similar cases have already been discussed in an earlier portion of this paper, and they leave no doubt that there are types which may vary from the normal as far as the methyl red and the Voges and Proskauer reactions are concerned. At the same time these abnormal types are not sufficiently numerous to make any real practical difficulties in the use of these tests for routine purposes.

The Koser test, considered by many bacteriologists to be of great differential value, was found to give imperfect correlation with the other reactions.

1395 strains were isolated which could be classified in the B. coli group as a result of the production of acid and gas in lactose, the clotting of milk, and the non-liquefaction of gelatine, but when the methyl red and the Voges and Proskauer results were considered it was found that nearly 11 per cent. of these strains were of the B. lactis aerogenes type, and were therefore of no value as indicators of faecal pollution.

The indol reactions were somewhat variable. Among 1244 strains of the B. coli type (M.R. + V.P. 0), more than 10 per cent. failed to produce indol; while among 151 strains of the B. lactis aerogenes type (M.R. 0 V.P. +), nearly 51 per cent. were indol producers. Preliminary extraction with ether was carried out with 448 of these strains before Böhme's reagent was added. With this technique it was found that among 400 methyl red positive types there were 87 strains (22 per cent.) which produced no indol, and among 48 methyl red negative strains there were 12 (25 per cent.) which gave the reaction. Chen and Rettger (1920) were unable to establish any definite correlation between the indol test and the other reactions.

When the sample results were studied, it was found that although 262 waters contained organisms which were included in the B. coli group on the basis of the lactose, milk and gelatine tests, nearly 6 per cent. of these samples contained only organisms which gave a methyl red negative, Voges and Proskauer positive reaction, and were probably associated with pollution from soil washings rather than contamination from faecal sources. This means that the application of the methyl red and Voges and Proskauer reaction does make a considerable practical difference in the interpretation of results in the bacteriological examination of water.

More detailed examination as regards the fermentation of the various carbohydrates is useful for purposes of classification, but is of no significance, in the light of our present knowledge, in assessing the probability of excretal pollution.

It is suggested that, in considering the results of a bacteriological examination of water, organisms should be regarded as significant which are of typical morphology and staining reaction, produce acid and gas in lactose, fail to liquefy gelatine, clot milk, and give a positive methyl red and a negative Voges and Proskauer reaction. The production of indol in a medium containing peptone may be added as an extra test if desired, but the available evidence does not suggest that failure to produce indol is a sufficient basis for the exclusion of an otherwise typical bacillus from the B. coli group.

My thanks are due to Dr G. D. Dawson, in conjunction with whom the present investigation was started; and also to Prof. W. W. C. Topley whose interest throughout the course of the research was made manifest by his helpful advice and criticism.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , February 1926 , pp. 11 - 25
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1926

References

REFERENCES

Bergey, D. H. and Deeran, S. J. (1908). The colon-aës group of bacteria. Journ. of Med. Beg. xix. 175.Google Scholar
Böhme, A. (1906). Die Anwendung der Ehrlichsehen Indolreaktion für bakteriologische Zwecke. Centralbi. f. Bakct. I A. xl. 129.Google Scholar
Browne, W. W. (1914). The production of acid by the Bacillus coli group. Journ. of Infect. Dis. xv. 580.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Burton, L. V. and Rettoer, L. F. (1917). Correlations in the colon–aerogenes group. Journ. of Infect. Dis. xxi. 162.Google Scholar
Chen, C. C. and Rertoer, L. F. (1920). A correlation study of the colon.aerogenes group of bacteria, with special reference to the organisms occurring in the soil. Journ. of Bacteriol. v. 253.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clark, W. M. and Lubs, H. A. (1915). The differentiation of bacteria of the colonaërogenes family by the use of indicators. Journ. of Infect. Dig. xvii. 160.Google Scholar
Durham, H. E. (1898). A simple method for demonstrating the production of gas by bacteria. Brie. Med. Journ. i. 1387.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Durham, H.E. (1901). Some theoretical considerations upon the nature of agglutinations, together with further observations upon Bacillus typhi abdominalis, Bacillus enteritidis, Bacillus coli communig, Bacillus lactis aerogenes, and some other bacilli of allied character. Journ. of lisper. Med. v. 353.Google Scholar
Dyar, H.G. and Keith, S. C. Jr. (1894). Notes on normal intestinal bacilli of the horse and of certain other domesticated animals. Cenlraibl. f. Bakct. I A. xvi. 838.Google Scholar
Escrerich, T. (1885). Die Darmbakterien des Neugeborenen und Saugling. Fortschr. der Med. iii. 515 and 547.Google Scholar
Ferreira, A., Horpa, A. C. and Paeedes, C. (1908). Recherches sur le Bacillus coil cornmunis de l'intestjn do l'homme. Archives de Real Inst hub Bacteriologico Camera Pestana, vol. ii. Fasc II. 153. (Abstracted in Elements of Water Bacteriology, Prescott, S. C. and Winslow, C. E. A., 102.)Google Scholar
Ford, W. W. (1901). Classification of Intestinal Bacteria. Journ. of Med. Res. vi. 211.Google Scholar
Grimbert, L. (1896). Sur Ia préparation du milieu d'elsner. Compb. Rend. Soc. de Biol. 1896, 722.Google Scholar
Harden, A. (1905). The chemical action on glucose of the lactose–fermenting organisms of faeces. Journ. of Hygiene, v. 488.Google Scholar
Harden, A. (1905–1906). On Voges and Proskauer's reaction for certain bacteria. Proc. Roy. Soc. Series B, lxxix. 424.Google Scholar
Harden, A. and Walpole, G. S. (1906). Chemical action of B. lactis aerogenes on glucose and mannitol: production of 2: 3 butylene glycol and acetyl–methyl.carbjnol. Proc. Roy. Soc. lxxvii. 399.Google Scholar
Harden, A. and Noanis, B. (1911). The diacetyl reaction for proteins. Journ. of Physiol. xlii. 332.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haraden, A. and Norris, D. (1911). The bacterial production of acetyl-methyl-carbjnol and 2: 3 butylcec glyeol from various substances. Proc. Roy. Soc. Series B, lxxxiv. 492.Google Scholar
Haraden, A. and Norris, D. (1912). The bacterial production of acetyl-methyl-carbinol and 2: 3 butylene glycol from various substances. Proc. Roy. Soc. lxxxv. 73.Google Scholar
Horrocks, W. H. (1903). The Bacillus coli communis; considered as an indication of sewage contamination of water supplies. Journ. of Roy. Army Med. Corps, i. 362.Google Scholar
Houston, A. C. (1913). Studies in Water Supply.Google Scholar
Howe, F. Jr. (1904). Notes on the Bacillus coil. Centralbi. f. Bakct. I A. xxxvi. 484.Google Scholar
Hulton, F. (1916). The correlation of certain reactions of colon bacilli and like organisms with source. Jour., of Infect. Dis. xix. 606.Google Scholar
Jackson, D. D. (1911). Classification of the B. coli group. Jour., of Infect. Dis. viii. 241.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, B. R. (1916). Coli-like organisms of the soil. Journ. of Bacteriol. i. 96.Google Scholar
Jordan, E. O. (1901). The relative abundance of Bacillus coli cornmunis in river water as an index of the self.purification of streams. Journ. of Hygiene, i. 295.Google Scholar
Jordan, E. O. (1903). The kinds of bacteria found in river water. Journ. of Hygiene xxxi. 1.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Keyes, F. G. (1909). The gas production of B. coil. Journ. of Med. Beg. xxi. 69.Google Scholar
Klein, F. and Houston, A. C. (1899–1900). Preliminary account of the results of a bacterioscopic analysis of different cereals and food stuffs. Suppl. 29th Ann. Rept. Loc. Gov. Bd. with Rept. of Medical Officer, 593.Google Scholar
Kligler, I.J. (1914). Indol production in the colon-typhoid group. Journ. of Infect. Dig. xiv. 81.Google Scholar
Kligler, I.J. (1914). Studies on classification of the colon group. Journ. of Infect. Dig. xv. 187.Google Scholar
Koser, S. A. (1918). The employment of uric acid synthetic medium for the differentiation of B. coli and B. lactis cerogenes. Journ. of Infect. Dig. xxiii. 377.Google Scholar
Kruse, W. (1894). Kritische und experimentelle Beitrlige zur hygienischen Beurtheilung des Wassers. Zeitschr.f. Hygiene, xvii. 1.Google Scholar
Laurent, E. (1899). Recherches exphrimentales sur les maladies des plantes. Ann. Inst. Pest. xiii. 1.Google Scholar
Levine, M. (1916). On the significance of the Voges and Proskauer reaction. Journ. of Bacteriol. i. 153.Google Scholar
Levine, M.(1916). The correlation of the Voges and Proskauer and methyl–red reactions in the colon–aerogenes group of bacteria. Journ. of Infect. Dis. xviii. 358.Google Scholar
Levine, M. (1916). Acid production and other characters of Bacillus coil–like bacteria from faeces and sewage. Journ. of Infect. Dis. xix. 773.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Levine, M. (1916). Ou the correlation of the Voges and Proskauer and the methyl-red reaction. Journ. of Bacteriol. i. 87.Google Scholar
Macconkey, A. (1905). Lactose fermenting bacteria in faeces. Journ. of Hygiene, v. 333.Google Scholar
Macconkey, A. (1909). Further observations on tbe differentiation of lactose–fermenting bacilli, with special reference to those of intestinal origin. Journ. of Hygiene ix. 86.Google Scholar
Pammel, L. H. and Pammel, F. I. (1896). A contribution on the gases produced by certain bacteria. Centralbl. f. Bakt. ii A. 2. 633.Google Scholar
Refix, E. (1896). Surs les divers types de coli–baeille des eaux. Ann. bait. Past. x. 242.Google Scholar
Rivas, P. (1908). Contribution to the differentiation of B. coli communis from allied species in drinking water. Journ. of Med. Bes. xviii. 81.Google Scholar
Rogers, L. A., Clark, W. M. and Davies, B. J. (1914). The colon group of bacteria. Journ. of Infect. Dis. xiv. 411.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rogers, L. A., Ciaim, W. M. and Evans, A. C. (1914). The characteristics of bacteria of the colon type found in bovine faeces. Journ. of Infect. Dis. xv. 100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rogers, L. A. (1915). The characteristics of bacteriu of the colon type occurring on grains. Journ. of Infect. Dis. xvii. 137.Google Scholar
Rogers, L. J., Clark, W. M. and Luas, H. A. (1918). The characteristics of bacteria of the colon type in human faeces. Journ. of Bacteriol. iii. 231.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Savage, W. G. (1905). Bacteriological examination of tidal mud as an index of pollution of the river. Journ. of Hygiene, v. 146.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, T. (1895). Das Gährungskolbchen in der Bakteriologie. Centralbl.f. Bald. I A. vii. 502.Google Scholar
Voges, O. and Proseauee, B. (1898). Beitrag znr Ernahrungs-physiologie und zur Differential Diagnose der Baktericu der hämorrhagischen Septicitmie. Zeitschr.f. Hygiene, xxviii. 20.Google Scholar
Winslow, C. E. A. and Walker, L. T. (1907). Note on the fermentation of the B. coli group. Science, N.S. xxvi. 797.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Winslow, C. E. A. and Cohen, B. (1918). The distribution of Bacillus coli and Bacillns aerogenes in polluted and unpolluted waters. Journ. of Infect. Dis. xxiii. 90.Google Scholar