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

Helena M.B. Oliveira, Cledir Santos, R. Russell M. Paterson, Norma B. Gusmão and Nelson Lima
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Helena M.B. Oliveira: Department of Antibiotics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Morais Rego, 1235, Recife, Pernambuco 50670-901, Brazil
Cledir Santos: Department of Chemical Sciences and Natural Resources, BIOREN-UFRO Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811-230, Chile
R. Russell M. Paterson: Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
Norma B. Gusmão: Department of Antibiotics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Morais Rego, 1235, Recife, Pernambuco 50670-901, Brazil
Nelson Lima: Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-11

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; yeasts; water distribution system; pathogens (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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