Seasonal emergence of pathogenic bacteria in drinking water
| dc.contributor.advisor | Sahota, Param Pal | |
| dc.contributor.author | Pandey, Swati | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-03-19T03:58:46Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-03-19T03:58:46Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2020 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The impact of seasonal variations on microbial diversity of drinking water poses an imminent threat to public health. As such the seasonal dynamics of drinking water quality characteristics were investigated during the year 2019-2020 in Punjab. A total of N=600 drinking water samples from various sources and utilities were analysed for bacteriological and physicochemical attributes; viz heterotrophic plate counts (HPC), total coliforms (TC), faecal coliform E. coli, emerging pathogens, pH, conductivity (EC), and TDS. A total of 66.3% (n=398) samples were tested positive for the presence of coliforms. The mean HPC and TCC were found to differ significantly during seasons (summer, monsoon, and winter) of the year (P < 0.05). There were considerable seasonal variations in prevalence of indicator E. coli (16.7-60%) as well as the emerging pathogens in contaminated drinking water samples. Statistical analysis of the dataset showed significant positive correlation trends between temperature and TCC (r = 0.785), E. coli (r = 0.690) and HPC (r = 0.678). The prevalence of emerging pathogens in contaminated samples and temperature showed a significant positive correlation for Enterococcus spp., Campylobacter spp., Vibrio spp. and inverse significant correlation for Aeromonas spp., Yersinia spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Listeria spp. The bacterial pathogens Klebsiella spp., Shigella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella spp. were detected from contaminated samples throughout the year in low percentages regardless of temperature influences. The concurrence of faecal indicator E. coli and emerging bacterial pathogens in contaminated samples was weak and variable. The bacterial isolates from drinking water tested for antibiotic sensitivity assay showed MAR index range of 0.12-0.87. The commercially available UV filter was explored as a remedial technology for bacteriologically contaminated water. Its effectiveness under applicable conditions debunks the common belief about the advanced disinfection potential. The presence of injured coliforms and bacterial pathogens showing marked phenotypic and antibiotic sensitivity changes post-treatment raises the alarming concern of consumer safety. Lastly collection of a large dataset at high frequency over a period of one calendar year has enabled the characterization of previously undocumented seasonal dynamics in the drinking water characteristics and highlights the need for reframed standard methods to enhance pathogenspecific assessment for better risk management. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.citation | Pandey, Swati (2020). Seasonal emergence of pathogenic bacteria in drinking water (Unpublished M.Sc. thesis). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810162661 | |
| dc.keywords | Seasonality, Total coliforms, Correlation trend, Antibiotic sensitivity test, MAR index, UV treatment. | en_US |
| dc.language.iso | English | en_US |
| dc.pages | 142 | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana | en_US |
| dc.research.problem | Seasonal emergence of pathogenic bacteria in drinking water | en_US |
| dc.sub | Microbiology | en_US |
| dc.theme | Seasonal emergence of pathogenic bacteria in drinking water | en_US |
| dc.these.type | M.Sc | en_US |
| dc.title | Seasonal emergence of pathogenic bacteria in drinking water | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |