Occurrence and characterisation of biofilms in drinking water systems of broiler houses
Abstract Background Water quality in the drinking water system (DWS) plays an important role in the general health and performance of broiler chickens. Conditions in the DWS of broilers are ideal for microbial biofilm formation. Since pathogens might reside within these biofilms, they serve as poten...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12866-019-1451-5 |
| _version_ | 1819104626944770048 |
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| author | Sharon Maes Thijs Vackier Son Nguyen Huu Marc Heyndrickx Hans Steenackers Imca Sampers Katleen Raes Alex Verplaetse Koen De Reu |
| author_facet | Sharon Maes Thijs Vackier Son Nguyen Huu Marc Heyndrickx Hans Steenackers Imca Sampers Katleen Raes Alex Verplaetse Koen De Reu |
| author_sort | Sharon Maes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Water quality in the drinking water system (DWS) plays an important role in the general health and performance of broiler chickens. Conditions in the DWS of broilers are ideal for microbial biofilm formation. Since pathogens might reside within these biofilms, they serve as potential source of waterborne transmission of pathogens to livestock and humans. Knowledge about the presence, importance and composition of biofilms in the DWS of broilers is largely missing. In this study, we therefore aim to monitor the occurrence, and chemically and microbiologically characterise biofilms in the DWS of five broiler farms. Results The bacterial load after disinfection in DWSs was assessed by sampling with a flocked swab followed by enumerations of total aerobic flora (TAC) and Pseudomonas spp. The dominant flora was identified and their biofilm-forming capacity was evaluated. Also, proteins, carbohydrates and uronic acids were quantified to analyse the presence of extracellular polymeric substances of biofilms. Despite disinfection of the water and the DWS, average TAC was 6.03 ± 1.53 log CFU/20cm2. Enumerations for Pseudomonas spp. were on average 0.88 log CFU/20cm2 lower. The most identified dominant species from TAC were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas geniculata and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However at species level, most of the identified microorganisms were farm specific. Almost all the isolates belonging to the three most abundant species were strong biofilm producers. Overall, 92% of all tested microorganisms were able to form biofilm under lab conditions. Furthermore, 63% of the DWS surfaces appeared to be contaminated with microorganisms combined with at least one of the analysed chemical components, which is indicative for the presence of biofilm. Conclusions Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas geniculata and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are considered as opportunistic pathogens and could consequently be a potential risk for animal health. Additionally, the biofilm-forming capacity of these organisms could promote attachment of other pathogens such as Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T02:09:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ccb499214103424ba4decde060cad22a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2180 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T02:09:21Z |
| publishDate | 2019-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-ccb499214103424ba4decde060cad22a2022-12-21T18:42:27ZengBMCBMC Microbiology1471-21802019-04-0119111510.1186/s12866-019-1451-5Occurrence and characterisation of biofilms in drinking water systems of broiler housesSharon Maes0Thijs Vackier1Son Nguyen Huu2Marc Heyndrickx3Hans Steenackers4Imca Sampers5Katleen Raes6Alex Verplaetse7Koen De Reu8Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Technology and Food Science UnitFaculty of Engineering Technology, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Cluster for Bioengineering Technology (CBeT), Laboratory of Enzyme, Fermentation and Brewery Technology, University of LeuvenFaculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Industrial Biological Sciences, Ghent University Campus KortrijkFlanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Technology and Food Science UnitFaculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), University of LeuvenFaculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Industrial Biological Sciences, Ghent University Campus KortrijkFaculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Industrial Biological Sciences, Ghent University Campus KortrijkFaculty of Engineering Technology, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Cluster for Bioengineering Technology (CBeT), Laboratory of Enzyme, Fermentation and Brewery Technology, University of LeuvenFlanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Technology and Food Science UnitAbstract Background Water quality in the drinking water system (DWS) plays an important role in the general health and performance of broiler chickens. Conditions in the DWS of broilers are ideal for microbial biofilm formation. Since pathogens might reside within these biofilms, they serve as potential source of waterborne transmission of pathogens to livestock and humans. Knowledge about the presence, importance and composition of biofilms in the DWS of broilers is largely missing. In this study, we therefore aim to monitor the occurrence, and chemically and microbiologically characterise biofilms in the DWS of five broiler farms. Results The bacterial load after disinfection in DWSs was assessed by sampling with a flocked swab followed by enumerations of total aerobic flora (TAC) and Pseudomonas spp. The dominant flora was identified and their biofilm-forming capacity was evaluated. Also, proteins, carbohydrates and uronic acids were quantified to analyse the presence of extracellular polymeric substances of biofilms. Despite disinfection of the water and the DWS, average TAC was 6.03 ± 1.53 log CFU/20cm2. Enumerations for Pseudomonas spp. were on average 0.88 log CFU/20cm2 lower. The most identified dominant species from TAC were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas geniculata and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However at species level, most of the identified microorganisms were farm specific. Almost all the isolates belonging to the three most abundant species were strong biofilm producers. Overall, 92% of all tested microorganisms were able to form biofilm under lab conditions. Furthermore, 63% of the DWS surfaces appeared to be contaminated with microorganisms combined with at least one of the analysed chemical components, which is indicative for the presence of biofilm. Conclusions Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas geniculata and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are considered as opportunistic pathogens and could consequently be a potential risk for animal health. Additionally, the biofilm-forming capacity of these organisms could promote attachment of other pathogens such as Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12866-019-1451-5BiofilmBroilerDrinking water systemPseudomonas spp.Stenotrophomonas maltophilia |
| spellingShingle | Sharon Maes Thijs Vackier Son Nguyen Huu Marc Heyndrickx Hans Steenackers Imca Sampers Katleen Raes Alex Verplaetse Koen De Reu Occurrence and characterisation of biofilms in drinking water systems of broiler houses BMC Microbiology Biofilm Broiler Drinking water system Pseudomonas spp. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia |
| title | Occurrence and characterisation of biofilms in drinking water systems of broiler houses |
| title_full | Occurrence and characterisation of biofilms in drinking water systems of broiler houses |
| title_fullStr | Occurrence and characterisation of biofilms in drinking water systems of broiler houses |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occurrence and characterisation of biofilms in drinking water systems of broiler houses |
| title_short | Occurrence and characterisation of biofilms in drinking water systems of broiler houses |
| title_sort | occurrence and characterisation of biofilms in drinking water systems of broiler houses |
| topic | Biofilm Broiler Drinking water system Pseudomonas spp. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12866-019-1451-5 |
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