RECOVERY OF BACTERIA IN NEMATODES ISOLATED FROM A DRINKING-WATER SUPPLY

Nematodes are able to protect the bacteria present in their digestive tract from chlorination: theoretically they must he considered as pote ntial carriers of pathogenic enteric bacteria. This study reports anal yses conducted on the intestine contents of nematodes occurring both i n raw and treated water of a supply system using surface water, Neithe r pathogens such as Salmonellae or Vibrionaceae, nor spore-forming spe cies such as Sulphite-Reducing Clostridium bacteria could be detected, Analysis revealed the presence of Enterobacteriaceae of environmental origin.