Waterborne Pathogens Articles

The role of faucets as a reservoir for Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated as the source of infection for patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the water system of the ICUs was the primary reservoir of patient's colonization/infection with P. aeruginosa in a substantial proportion of patients, although the exact mode of acquisition could not be determined.

Faucets as a reservoir of endemic Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization/infections in intensive care units.
Blanc DS, Nahimana I, Petignat C, Wenger A, Bille J, Francioli P.
Intensive Care Med. 2004 Oct;30(10):1964-8.

What is the significance of  “viable but non-culturable (VBNC) bacteria in water which can be detected by molecular probes and by physiological activity?  The VBNC state has been demonstrated for Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio and Legionella pneumophila.  The article by Rebecca Smith and colleagues provides concrete evidence that these VBNC bacteria may not pose a threat as a hidden reservoir of infectious disease.   

Alive But Not Infectious
THE LANCET Infectious Diseases