Location
Moultrie, GA
Start Date
8-5-2024 1:00 PM
End Date
8-5-2024 4:00 PM
Description
Background
Water bodies support diverse life but are vulnerable to microbial contamination, endangering human, animal, and plant health, especially in rural areas with limited clean water access. Regular water sample surveillance is vital to protect public health and prevent adverse effects. In addition to monitoring current filtration processes, this study surveys rural South Georgia's water sources to establish a baseline microbial profile for future comparative analysis.
Methods
Biweekly water sampling occurred from November 2023 to January 2024 in rural South Georgia, covering diverse sites such as lakes, ponds, filtered water fountains, and a city water treatment facility. Samples were collected in sterile containers and transported on ice packs to the Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic & Investigational Laboratory for further investigation. Samples were concentrated by filtration and cultured for isolation of aerobic bacterial species. The isolated bacteria were subsequently identified using matrix-assisted desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for precise species or genus-level identification.
Results and Discussion
Results from environmental samples indicated diverse microbial communities in various water bodies, identifying over 32 different bacterial populations confirmed to the species level (MALDI score ≥ 2.0) and 15 bacterial populations confirmed to the genus level (MALDI score ranging from 1.8-2). Aeromonas spp. were most prevalent, which are characteristic of aquatic ecosystems, and are also linked to nosocomial and opportunistic infections. Other species found are known potential environmental pathogens or are linked to biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance reservoirs. The bacterial culture of potable drinking water samples revealed an absence of bacteria (except for one time point, a possible human contamination during collection/transport), indicating their safety for consumption. This study's limitation lies in focusing solely on winter surveys, potentially missing seasonal microbial variations. Furthermore, while various species have been identified, their significance requires further research.
Conclusion
This research emphasizes the need to comprehend microbial diversity in rural water bodies for improved water resource management and public health interventions. Further studies using advanced molecular techniques such as metagenomics and whole bacterial genome sequencing may further elucidate microbial ecology in these environments. Additionally, continuing to screen for pathogens in filtered water is crucial to maintain ongoing assurance of water quality and safety, thereby safeguarding public health from potential microbial contamination.
Embargo Period
7-1-2024
Included in
Assessment of bacterial diversity in South Georgia water sources using bacterial isolation and MALDI TOF-based identification
Moultrie, GA
Background
Water bodies support diverse life but are vulnerable to microbial contamination, endangering human, animal, and plant health, especially in rural areas with limited clean water access. Regular water sample surveillance is vital to protect public health and prevent adverse effects. In addition to monitoring current filtration processes, this study surveys rural South Georgia's water sources to establish a baseline microbial profile for future comparative analysis.
Methods
Biweekly water sampling occurred from November 2023 to January 2024 in rural South Georgia, covering diverse sites such as lakes, ponds, filtered water fountains, and a city water treatment facility. Samples were collected in sterile containers and transported on ice packs to the Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic & Investigational Laboratory for further investigation. Samples were concentrated by filtration and cultured for isolation of aerobic bacterial species. The isolated bacteria were subsequently identified using matrix-assisted desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for precise species or genus-level identification.
Results and Discussion
Results from environmental samples indicated diverse microbial communities in various water bodies, identifying over 32 different bacterial populations confirmed to the species level (MALDI score ≥ 2.0) and 15 bacterial populations confirmed to the genus level (MALDI score ranging from 1.8-2). Aeromonas spp. were most prevalent, which are characteristic of aquatic ecosystems, and are also linked to nosocomial and opportunistic infections. Other species found are known potential environmental pathogens or are linked to biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance reservoirs. The bacterial culture of potable drinking water samples revealed an absence of bacteria (except for one time point, a possible human contamination during collection/transport), indicating their safety for consumption. This study's limitation lies in focusing solely on winter surveys, potentially missing seasonal microbial variations. Furthermore, while various species have been identified, their significance requires further research.
Conclusion
This research emphasizes the need to comprehend microbial diversity in rural water bodies for improved water resource management and public health interventions. Further studies using advanced molecular techniques such as metagenomics and whole bacterial genome sequencing may further elucidate microbial ecology in these environments. Additionally, continuing to screen for pathogens in filtered water is crucial to maintain ongoing assurance of water quality and safety, thereby safeguarding public health from potential microbial contamination.
Comments
Presented by Andrew Metry.
Winner of 2024 SGA Best in Show award.