Recovery of Burkholderia pseudomallei and B-cepacia from drinking water

Samples of drinking water were examined in order to evaluate the occurrence of two Gram-negative bacteria: Burkholderia pseudomallei and B. cepacia. A total of 85 samples were collected from public and private buildings in th e province of Bologna (Italy). Other bacteriological indicators (heterotrop hic plate count at 22 and 36 degrees C) were also examined, together with p hysical and chemical parameters (temperature, pH, residual chlorine, total hardness and chemical oxygen demand (COD)). High levels of B. pseudomallei were recovered (mean value = 578 cfu/100 ml) in about 7% of samples, while B. cepacia was recovered in 3.5% (mean value = < 1) of the samples. The two microorganisms were found to correlate positively with heterotrophic plate counts at 22 and 36 degrees C, but not with the physical and chemical para meters taken into consideration. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.