Basic Microbiology

Content
• Important Microorganisms in PHE
• Nature of Biological Growth
• Bacteriological Examination of Water
• Water Related Diseases and their Public Health
Importance

24th April 2018

Microorganisms and Water quality control
 Stabilization of organic waste is largely achieved by microorganism

 Discharge of effluents into rivers is aided by biological self purification.

On the other hand microorganisms are responsible for

 Disease transmission such as typhoid

 Taste and odor in water supplies

 Corrosion of metal structures and

 Microbial growths which lead to detrimental quality

changes in lakes and reservoirs i.e. Eutrophication.
 Types of micro-organisms

Autotrophes
 Organisms which are capable of synthesizing their
organic requirements from inorganic sources

 Therefore grow independently of an external source or

organic matter.

 This can be achieved by two methods

(a) Photosynthesis
(b) Chemosynthesis
(a) Photosynthesis

 Use of light energy to produce organic matter and

oxygen (phototrophes)

 H2O + CO2 + Light→ O2 + Energy

(b) Chemosynthesis

 Where chemical energy of organic chemicals is

used to synthesize organic matter (e.g. Nitrifying
bacteria)
2NH3 + 3O2 → 2HNO3 + 2H2O + Energy

 Energy released is thus available for the synthesis

and organism are called Chemotrophes
 Heterotrophes

 Organisms which require an external source for organic

material and are of three main types.

(i) Saprophobes: Obtain soluble organic matter from

extracellular digestion of insoluble materials.

(ii) Paratrophes: Obtain soluble organic matter from

the tissues of other living organisms and are thus
frequently pathogenic (disease causing)

(iii) Phagotrophes: Also referred to as Holozoic and

they utilize solid organic matter.
Organisms also differ in their requirements for oxygen

 Aerobes:
They must have free oxygen present for any Synthesis

 Anaerobes:
Exist in the absence of oxygen

 Facultative:
Could operate on either system
Some important microorganisms
in PHE
Viruses
 These are the smallest ranging from < 0.3 µm in diameter and can
reproduce only within a specific host cell.

 They are all parasitic and lack normal metabolic function lying within the
border line between living organisms and chemical compounds.

 Many diseases are caused by the virus infection.

 Virus is commonly found in sewage effluent and thus present in polluted

water.

 Due to their small sizes, viruses are difficult to remove from water and are
often resistant to normal disinfection method.
Bacteria
 Single cell organisms which utilize soluble food normally organic although
they are many of the chemotrophic type.

 They range from 0.5-5µm and they are of various shapes.

 Coccus (round shaped),

 Bascillus (rod-shaped) and

 Spirillum (gently curved shape to a corkscrew-like spiral)

 Reproduction is by binary fission and the generation time may be as short as

20 minutes.

 Some types form resistant spores which lie dormant in unsuitable

environment and become re-activated if more acceptable conditions return.
Cont’n……..Bacteria

 Most bacteria are sensitive to pH preferring more or else

neutral condition (pH 7) although certain species can exist in
highly acidic environment e.g. Sulphur bacteria.

 They are also sensitive to temperature and have an optimum

growth temperature.

 They are of vital importance in waste water stabilization as

well as also being responsible for water borne diseases
Fungi
 Are aerobic, multicellular, non-photosynthetic, heterotrophics. Most
fungi are saprophytes that degrade dead organic matter.

 Mainly multi-cellular plant which is more tolerant to acidic

conditions and a dry environment unlike the bacteria.

 They are over 10000 species all of which are chemosynthetic

aerobic organisms

 Reproduction is by asexual spores or seeds.

 Fungi are found in biological treatment plants and in polluted water

and are responsible for taste and odor. In nitrogen-deficient
wastewater, they may replace bacteria as the dominant species.
 Algae
 They are unicellular or multi-cellular autotrotrophic
photosynthetic plants.

 They take on the color of the pigment that is the catalyst for
photosynthesis.

 They utilize carbon dioxide, ammonia and phosphorus to

produce new cells and oxygen.

 Algae and bacteria growing in the same environment do not

compete for food but operate in what is termed as
SYNERGISTIC reaction (output of one is input of the other)
Con’t…..Algae, Bacteria synergy
Con’t…………..Algae
 Algae are undesirable in water supply because they produce bad taste and
odour.

 In water filtration plants the presence of algae will shorten the filter runs.

 In waste stabilization, algae are of importance because of its effects on the

dissolved oxygen balance.

 Four classes of algae are of importance.

(1) Green Algae
(2) Motile green (bright green) Algae
(3) Yellow green or golden brown algae
(4) Blue green algae
 Protozoa
 Single celled about 10-100 µm long.

 They reproduce by binary fission and live mainly on bacteria

and algae.

 They are of two main sub-types

(a) Plasodorma
They have pseudopodia for movement and feed on by
engulfing solid food or utilizing soluble food

(b) Ciliophora
They have cilia (hair like extensions from the cell
membrane) for movement and also assist to capture
solid food particles.
Rotifers

 Simplest multi-cellular animals

 They are sensitive to changes in the environment

and are thus good indicators of pollution

 Presence of rotifers is an indication of high

dissolved oxygen (DO)
Crustaceans
 These are hard shelled cellular animals. They are
aerobic chemo-heterotrophs that feed on bacteria
and algae. They are relatively large and can be
seen with a naked eye

 They are important as fish food.

 Their presence is indicative of a high level of

dissolved oxygen and a very low level of organic
matter.
Worms and Larvae

 These are important scavengers usually found in

bottom deposits.

 They can metabolize organics not ready broken

down by other micro-organism
 Nature of Biological Growth

 Most micro organisms multiply at a very rapid

rate and produce pronounced changes in the
culture media in a short period of time.
Phases of growth
 If a small number of organisms is inoculated (cultured) in a fixed
volume of culture media and the number of these organisms is recorded
as a function of time. The growth pattern has various distinct phases.
Phase (1)- lag phase

 Represents the time required for the organisms to

adjust to their new environment
Phase (2)- Accelerated phase

 This is where growth starts and the rate of growth

increase with time.
 Phase (3)- Log growth phase
 During this period the cells divide at a rate determined by their generation time
and their ability to process food (substrate).

 Here there is always an excess amount of food surrounding the micro-

organisms and the rate of metabolism and growth is only a function of the
ability of the micro-organisms to process the substrate.
Phase (4)- Declining growth phase

 Here the rate of increase in bacteria mass and

number declines due to limitation in food or
substrate
 Phase (5)- Stationary phase
 The population of the cell remain stationary because
 The cells have exhausted the substrate necessary for
growth
 The growth of new cells offset by death of old cells
 Phase (6)- Endogenous phase
 The micro-organisms are forced to metabolize their own
protoplasm without replacement since the concentration of
available food is at a minimum or there is none at all.

 During the phase a phenomena known as lysis can occur in which

the nutrients remaining in the dead cells diffuse out to furnish the
remaining cells with food.
Phase (7)- log death phase
 During these phase the bacteria death rate exceeds the
production of new cells.

 This phase is the inverse of phase 3 log growth

phase.
 Bacteriological Examination of Water

 The greatest danger associated with drinking water is that it

may have recently been contaminated by human waste or
sewage (excreta)

 If such contamination has been caused by carriers of such

infections diseases such as fever and dysentery the water may
contain living pathogens of this diseases.
 Detection
 When pathogenic organisms are present in water, they are almost always
out-numbered by other organisms of human origin….so called Coliform
organisms

 Coliform organisms are the bacterial that thrive in the intestines of man and
animals and appear in myriads in their intestinal and urine discharge. They
are used as indicators for faecal contamination

 Pathogenic organisms present in waste and polluted water are difficult to

isolate

 Coliform organisms are easier to detect. They are most commonly used as
indicators of feacal pollutions because they are more numerous and more
easily tested

 The presence of coliform organism is taken as an indication that the water

is not free from disease producing organisms.
Coliform group

 The most important of the coliform group found

in sewage polluted waters are the
 Escherichia Coli (E.COLI),
 Escherichia Freundi,
 Aerobacter Aerogen,
 Clostridium Perfingen,
 Faecal Streptococci.
Characteristics of a Good Indicator Organism
1.The indicator organism must always be present when fecal contamination is
present.

2. The indicator organism must be present in large numbers, equal to or greater

than the numbers of the pathogenic organism.

3. The indicator organism must have the same survival characteristics and
response to the environment as the pathogen.

4. In order that it not pose a health risk to laboratory technicians, the indicator
must not be able to reproduce outside the host organism.

5. The isolation, identification, and enumeration of the indicator organism must

be easier and cheaper than the pathogen itself.

6. Indicator and pathogen must come from the same source. Thus, detection of the
indicator is a strong indication that the pathogen is present. The organism should
be a member of the intestinal microflora of warm-blooded animals.
 Laboratory Methods

 Plate Count
 Multiple Tube Methods
 Membrane Filtration Method

Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater

 Water Related Diseases and their Public
Health Importance
 Water may
 Carry causative agents (pathogens) of communicable diseases of man or
 provide the right environment for the breeding and propagation of their
vectors.

 Water-related diseases are a growing human tragedy

 killing more than 5 million people each year - 10 times the number of
people killed in wars.
 About 2.3 billion people suffer from diseases linked to dirty water.
 Some 60% of all infant mortality worldwide is linked to infectious and
parasitic diseases, most of them water-related.
Water-related diseases can be classified
into 4 major categories

 Water-borne diseases

 Water-based diseases

 Water-related vector-borne diseases

 Water-scarce diseases
 Water-borne diseases
 Those caused by water that has been contaminated by human,
animal, or chemical wastes.

 Infections spread through drinking contaminated water.

 Water-borne diseases include cholera, typhoid, bacillary

dysentery, polio, meningitis, hepatitis A and E and diarrhea,
among others.

 These are diseases caused by dirty water, and most can be

prevented by treating water before use.
 Water-based diseases
 Caused by aquatic organisms that spend part of their
life cycle in the water and another part as parasites of
animals.

 Water-based diseases include Guinea worm disease,

filariasis (also a vector disease), paragonimiasis,
clonorchiasis and schistosomiasis (bilharzia).

 These diseases are caused by a variety of flukes,

tapeworms, roundworms and tissue nematodes, often
referred to as helminthes that infect humans.
Cont’…….Water-based diseases

 Although these diseases are not usually fatal

they prevent people from living normal lives
and impair their ability to work.

 The prevalence of water-based diseases often

increases when dams are constructed, because
stagnant water behind dams is ideal for snails,
the intermediary host for many types of
worms.
Water-related vector-borne diseases
 Those transmitted by vectors, such as mosquitoes and
tsetse flies that breed or live in or near water.

 The vectors (insects) depend on water for their

propagation

 Millions of people suffer from infections transmitted by

these vectors, infections such as malaria, yellow fever,
dengue fever, sleeping sickness and filariasis.
Cont’……Water-related vector-borne diseases

 Malaria, the most widespread, is endemic in 100

developing countries, putting some 2 billion people at
risk.

 In sub-Saharan Africa alone, malaria costs an estimated

$1.7 billion a year in treatment and lost productivity.

 Incidence of Malaria increasing:

 Resistance to antimalarial drugs;
 Mosquitoes are developing resistance to the major insecticide
used;
 Environmental changes are creating new breeding sites;
 Water-scarce diseases

 Those diseases that thrive in conditions where

freshwater is scarce and sanitation poor, such as
trachoma and tuberculosis.

 These diseases are becoming rampant throughout the

world. They can be controlled easily through better
hygiene, but adequate supplies of clean freshwater must
be available.
Preventive and Public Health Engineering
Interventions For The Water related Diseases
 Provision of sufficient water supplies and
sanitation, as well as solid waste disposal
services

 Provision of adequate housing and hygienic

conditions

 Availing good health care

 Water resource management schemes