Microbial risks in drinking water systems: persistence and public health implications of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens
IntroductionThe persistence of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) in drinking water plumbing systems poses a significant public health risk that is receiving increasing attention yet remains poorly understood. This study investigated the co-occurrence of OPPPs and the influence of buil...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1575789/full |
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| author | Claire Hayward Claire Hayward Kirstin E. Ross Melissa H. Brown Melissa H. Brown Richard Bentham Muhammad Atif Nisar Jason Hinds Jason Hinds James Xi Harriet Whiley Harriet Whiley |
| author_facet | Claire Hayward Claire Hayward Kirstin E. Ross Melissa H. Brown Melissa H. Brown Richard Bentham Muhammad Atif Nisar Jason Hinds Jason Hinds James Xi Harriet Whiley Harriet Whiley |
| author_sort | Claire Hayward |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThe persistence of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) in drinking water plumbing systems poses a significant public health risk that is receiving increasing attention yet remains poorly understood. This study investigated the co-occurrence of OPPPs and the influence of building infrastructure properties on their prevalence.MethodsDrinking water and biofilm samples were collected from hospitals and private residences across Australia to investigate the abiotic and biotic factors contributing to the growth and proliferation of OPPPs.ResultsQuantitative polymerase chain reaction assays revealed that 41% of samples tested positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 26% for Staphylococcus aureus, 26% for Legionella spp., 24% for Legionella pneumophila, and 14% for Acinetobacter baumannii. Furthermore, free-living amoebae, including Vermamoeba vermiformis (46%) and Acanthamoeba spp. (25%), were frequently detected, with Acanthamoeba spp. demonstrating a significant positive correlation with all bacterial OPPPs. Overall, results indicated a statistically higher prevalence of OPPPs in residential properties and in biofilms. However, building characteristics, including stagnation, hot water system type, and building age, had inconsistent influences on individual OPPP prevalence.DiscussionThese results emphasize the need to incorporate risk assessments regarding the complex factors within the premise plumbing environment that contribute to pathogen persistence, to inform evidence based targeted preventative strategies for at-risk populations. These findings are particularly critical for individuals receiving healthcare at home, as inconsistent water treatment and monitoring in residential settings may increase their risk of exposure to OPPPs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-834e2b6c9b1b49b28fad08e7c6579c2b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-302X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-834e2b6c9b1b49b28fad08e7c6579c2b2025-08-20T02:27:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-05-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.15757891575789Microbial risks in drinking water systems: persistence and public health implications of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogensClaire Hayward0Claire Hayward1Kirstin E. Ross2Melissa H. Brown3Melissa H. Brown4Richard Bentham5Muhammad Atif Nisar6Jason Hinds7Jason Hinds8James Xi9Harriet Whiley10Harriet Whiley11Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, AustraliaEnvironmental Health, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, AustraliaEnvironmental Health, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, AustraliaCollege of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, AustraliaARC Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, AustraliaBuilt Water Solutions, Clarendon, SA, AustraliaEnvironmental Health, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, AustraliaARC Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, AustraliaEnware Australia Pty Ltd., Caringbah, NSW, AustraliaEnware Australia Pty Ltd., Caringbah, NSW, AustraliaEnvironmental Health, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, AustraliaARC Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, AustraliaIntroductionThe persistence of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) in drinking water plumbing systems poses a significant public health risk that is receiving increasing attention yet remains poorly understood. This study investigated the co-occurrence of OPPPs and the influence of building infrastructure properties on their prevalence.MethodsDrinking water and biofilm samples were collected from hospitals and private residences across Australia to investigate the abiotic and biotic factors contributing to the growth and proliferation of OPPPs.ResultsQuantitative polymerase chain reaction assays revealed that 41% of samples tested positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 26% for Staphylococcus aureus, 26% for Legionella spp., 24% for Legionella pneumophila, and 14% for Acinetobacter baumannii. Furthermore, free-living amoebae, including Vermamoeba vermiformis (46%) and Acanthamoeba spp. (25%), were frequently detected, with Acanthamoeba spp. demonstrating a significant positive correlation with all bacterial OPPPs. Overall, results indicated a statistically higher prevalence of OPPPs in residential properties and in biofilms. However, building characteristics, including stagnation, hot water system type, and building age, had inconsistent influences on individual OPPP prevalence.DiscussionThese results emphasize the need to incorporate risk assessments regarding the complex factors within the premise plumbing environment that contribute to pathogen persistence, to inform evidence based targeted preventative strategies for at-risk populations. These findings are particularly critical for individuals receiving healthcare at home, as inconsistent water treatment and monitoring in residential settings may increase their risk of exposure to OPPPs.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1575789/fullopportunistic premise plumbing pathogensbiofilmsfree living amoebadrinking waterhealthcare associated infections |
| spellingShingle | Claire Hayward Claire Hayward Kirstin E. Ross Melissa H. Brown Melissa H. Brown Richard Bentham Muhammad Atif Nisar Jason Hinds Jason Hinds James Xi Harriet Whiley Harriet Whiley Microbial risks in drinking water systems: persistence and public health implications of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens Frontiers in Microbiology opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens biofilms free living amoeba drinking water healthcare associated infections |
| title | Microbial risks in drinking water systems: persistence and public health implications of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens |
| title_full | Microbial risks in drinking water systems: persistence and public health implications of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens |
| title_fullStr | Microbial risks in drinking water systems: persistence and public health implications of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbial risks in drinking water systems: persistence and public health implications of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens |
| title_short | Microbial risks in drinking water systems: persistence and public health implications of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens |
| title_sort | microbial risks in drinking water systems persistence and public health implications of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens |
| topic | opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens biofilms free living amoeba drinking water healthcare associated infections |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1575789/full |
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