Author/Authors :
MOHAMMADI KOUCHESFAHANI, Matin Dept. of Environmental Health Engineering - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , ALIMOHAMMADI, Mahmood Dept. of Environmental Health Engineering - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , NABIZADEH NODEHI, Ramin Dept. of Environmental Health Engineering - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , ASLANI, Hassan Dept. of Environmental Health Engineering - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , REZAIE, Sassan Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , ASADIAN, Samieh Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Nowadays, due to increased public awareness about water pollution and water borne diseases as well as water network deficiencies, bottled water consumers have increased dramatically worldwide, including Iran. Pseudomo-nas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen capable of causing widespread infections in burn and immune-compromised patients. The aim of this study was to investigate, P. aeruginosa in bottled waters selling in Iranian mar-kets.
Methods: One hundred and twenty samples of five unknown (not famous) domestic bottled water brands were pur-chased from Tehran retailers during 2013. The samples were evaluated for the presence of P. aeruginosa. In addition, heterotrophic plate counts were determined by incubation at 37 °C for 24 h.
Results: P. aeruginosa was detected in 36.7% (44 samples) of all samples examined. In addition, heterotrophic bacteria in 32.5% (39 samples) of the samples were higher than 100 CFU/mL, while in 7.5% (9 samples) of the samples HPC relied between 20 and 100 CFU/ml.
Conclusion: In contrast to public believe, bottled waters are not free of microorganisms, and it is suggested that au-thorities should provide stricter monitoring and control plan for water resources and plants. Concerning HPC and P. aeruginosa brands B and D were not suitable for drinking.
