Helicobacter sp recovered from drinking water biofilm sampled from a waterdistribution system

Workers examining the transmission route(s) and reservoir(s) of infection f or Helicobacter, pylori have postulated several environmental reservoirs fo r the organism, including water. Such work has, to date, concentrated on th e bulk liquid in drinking water systems rather than on biofilms. Previous i nvestigations by the authors have suggested biofilms in water distribution systems are a possible reservoir of infection. This current study comprised of an analysis of a section of cast iron mains distribution pipe removed f rom an urban environment in the north-east of Scotland during routine maint enance work. Immediately upon removal of the pipe section, the interior lum en was swabbed to remove the biofilm layer. Subsequent analysis for the pre sence of Helicobacter DNA using a nested PCR approach produced a positive r esult. This data provides the first evidence for the existence of Helicobac ter in biofilms found in water distribution systems anywhere in the world. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.