Month: September 2022

BIOFILMS are complex cooperative societies of microorganisms that protect themselves in an external matrix, and exchange genes to enhance survival. They are very hard to eradicate, and are widespread in water distribution systems, among many other habitats. In this community, they have very different characteristics. http://lnkd.in/dhdyE4d View in LinkedIn

"BIOFILMS are ubiquitous in drinking water systems, either in the form of thin and patchy colonies or as surface-covering multiple layers. The extent of biofilm growth and of the occurrence of hygienically relevant organisms is still unknown and to be investigated ... such organisms do not multiply in large numbers in drinking water biofilms." http://www.iwaponline.com/ws/00201/ws002010271.htm View in LinkedIn

"BIOFILMS are densely packed communities of microbial cells that grow on living or inert surfaces and surround themselves with secreted polymers ... The structural and physiological complexity of biofilms has led to the idea that they are coordinated and cooperative groups, analogous to multicellular organisms." http://mpkb.org/home/pathogenesis/microbiota/biofilm View in LinkedIn

BIOFILMS ARE THE MAIN CAUSE OF INFECTIONS. "60-80 percent of microbial infections in the body are caused by bacteria growing as a biofilm – as opposed to planktonic (free-floating) bacteria." They occur as dental plaque, infections on catheters and implants, and more. http://mpkb.org/home/pathogenesis/microbiota/biofilm View in LinkedIn

BIOFILM COMMUNITIES. "Bacteria living in a biofilm usually have significantly different properties from free-floating bacteria ... One benefit ... is increased resistance to detergents and antibiotics ... can be increased a thousandfold. Lateral gene transfer is greatly facilitated in biofilms and leads to a more stable biofilm structure." http://lnkd.in/d8fsHNK View in LinkedIn

SECURE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS are vital for healthy water. In the US between 1920-1999, 11-18% of waterborne disease outbreaks were due to contamination of the distribution system, and between 1991-1996 were responsible for 22% of outbreaks. Similar data exists for other countries. http://lnkd.in/dbbE87Y View in LinkedIn

BIOFILMS IN WATER PIPES: EPA REPORT. Leaks and breaks in aging water pipes are also sources of pathogen intrusion into drinking water supplies. This comprehensive report summarizes the water sourced medical threats and the problems of biofilm management in water systems. http://lnkd.in/dhdyE4d View in LinkedIn

COLIFORM BACTERIA IN WATER PIPES. "In 1993 in the United States alone, nearly 4,400 water systems affecting 21 million people violated drinking water standards for total coliform bacteria ... Of concern are the nearly 2,000 systems every quarter that are significant noncompliers and repeatedly detect coliform bacteria in finished drinking water." http://lnkd.in/dUVCRcq View in LinkedIn

COLIFORM BACTERIA IN WATER PIPES. "In 1993 in the United States alone, nearly 4,400 water systems affecting 21 million people violated drinking water standards for total coliform bacteria ... Of concern are the nearly 2,000 systems every quarter that are significant noncompliers and repeatedly detect coliform bacteria in finished drinking water." http://lnkd.in/dUVCRcq View in LinkedIn

"TAP WATER QUALITY may differ considerably from the quality in the water processing plant, due to the sometimes considerable distances that water travels to the consumer, crossing biofilm contaminated pipes and broken infrastructure." http://lnkd.in/d2E8pwH View in LinkedIn