Hrvatske vode, Vol. 31 No. 123, 2023.
Professional paper
Behavior of the Burkholderia cepacia complex in waters with different nutrient concentrations
Jasna Hrenović
orcid.org/0000-0001-8513-3993
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Monika Eržen
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
A group of about 20 bacteria species called the Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) are widespread
in the environment, but they are also the cause of severe infections in humans. In the Republic of Croatia, relatively
little research has been conducted on the presence of these bacteria in different habitats and the impact these
bacteria have on humans. The paper examines the long-term behaviour of five clinically significant BCC bacteria
species in waters with different nutrient concentrations. The clinical isolate and four isolates extracted from the
environment impacted by human liquid or solid waste survived in the long term and even multiplied in nutrient-poor
or nutrient-rich water. After a 50-day monitoring, the concentration of four out of the five tested isolates in water
was higher than the initial concentration. Considering the potential for a long-term retention of clinically significant
BCC bacteria species in aquatic ecosystems, the presence of the BCC in water should be considered as a source of
sporadic human infections. In order to avoid this public health risk, the BCC should be removed from human solid and
liquid waste before its disposal in the environment. For monitoring of the BCC epidemiology, it is necessary to pay
Keywords
bacteria, Burkholderia sp., environment, pathogens, water.
Hrčak ID:
307802
URI
Publication date:
31.3.2023.
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