Diversity, Persistence, and Virulence of Aeromonas Strains Isolated from Drinking Water Distribution Systems in Sweden

The Aeromonas populations in 13 Swedish drinking water distribution systems, representing different treatments, were investigated. From each system, water samples were collected four times during the period from May to September 1994 from raw water and water after treatment and at two to five sites within the distribution system. In total, 220 water samples were collected. From samples containing presumptive Aeromonas, up to 32 colonies were analyzed by the PhenePlate Aeromonas (PhP-AE) system, which is a highly discriminating biochemical fingerprinting method. Selected isolates from different phenotypes (PhP types) were further identified by the API 20 NE system and by gas-liquid chromatography analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). Selected isolates were also assayed for their potential to produce hemolysin and cytotoxin and for their ability to adhere to human intestinal cells. In total, 117 water samples (53%) contained presumptive Aeromonas which numbered up to 10(6) CFU/100 ml in raw water and up to 750 CFU/100 ml in tap water. Among the 2,117 isolates that were subjected to typing by the PhP-AE system, more than 300 distinct PhP types were found, of which the majority occurred only sporadically. Raw (surface) water samples usually contained many different PhP types, showing high diversity indices (Di) (median Di = 0.95). The Aeromonas populations in samples collected from within the distribution systems were less diverse (median Di = 0.58) and were often dominated by one major PhP type that was found on several sampling occasions. Seventeen such major PhP types could be found and were represented in 1,037 isolates (49%). Identification by API 20 NE and FAME analysis revealed that most of the major PhP types were Aeromonas hydrophila or belonged to unidentified Aeromonas species. Hemolysin and cytotoxin production was observed in most major PhP types (representing 87 and 54% of the assayed isolates, respectively), and adherence was found in 89% of the isolates that produced cytotoxin. Thus, the data presented here show that although raw water may contain very diverse Aeromonas populations, the populations seemed to be remarkably stable within the studied water distribution systems, and that some potentially pathogenic Aeromonas strains could persist for several months in drinking water.