Applications of Emerging Technologies in the Drinking Water Sector - Waterborne Pathogens: Detection Methods and Applications - page 352

chlorination and routine disinfection of water supplies, therefore this form
of treatment is usually effective for removing E. coli in drinking water. Mon-
itoring for coliforms and E. coli itself is routinely done in assessing water
quality as they are a good indication on the presence of pathogens, and
microbiology of, a given supply, and thus, in themselves, they are a good
measure of overall water quality. 35
11.4.5. Campylobacter
Camplyobacter is a pathogenic bacteria that can take a number of strains
including Camplyobacter coli and Camplyobacter jejuni and rarely causes dis-
ease in humans, but it has been linked to cases of septicemia. Again, it is
passed on through fecal matter, and one way this can occur is within water
supplies contaminated by such matter. Campylobacter will be treated in the
water supply by using any of a number of different disinfectants. Effec-
tive disinfectants against Campylobacter include 1% sodium hypochlorite
and 70% ethanol disinfectants. It is also sensitive to gamma irradiation and
UV radiation processes. 36 A “multiparameter” approach is often taken when
attempting to detect the presence of Campylobacter in water supplies. Detec-
tion can be carried out using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and DNA
fingerprinting. 37
11.4.6. Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori is another waterborne bacterial pathogen that can cause
considerable health problems for humans, including chronic gastritis, pep-
tic ulcers and gastric cancer. It is particularly prevalent within populations
of developing countries and can be transferred through drinking water.
Helicobacter pylori is susceptible to disinfectants so it can be treated in water
through their application. A research report by Brick et al. 38 found that
Helicobacter pylori can be detected with molecular methods and that with
the use of disinfection in the UK system, the bacteria is very unlikely to be
found in, or cause any considerable problems from, the water supply.
11.4.7. Salmonella
Salmonella is a well-known pathogenic bacteria that commonly spreads dis-
ease through contaminated food, but it can also be spread through con-
sumption of contaminated water. When passed onto humans, Salmonella can
cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. There are a wide range of
methods to detect Salmonella , including immunological and nucleic-acid
based methods. Ultrafiltration has been shown to have a high effectiveness