engleski

Survival of F. tularensis subsp. novicida in different spring water samples

Francisella tularensis is a gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterium that can cause a fatal disease, tularemia, in human and animals. It resists harsh environments, and has been shown to survive in water and mud for more than a year. There are several records of tularemia epidemics such as in Sweden, Spain, Finland, Kosovo and recently in Turkey, where more than 500 people were infected by water. The aim of the study was to follow survival of F. tularensis subsp. novicida in natural spring water samples collected from springs of Rijeka (“Zvir I” and “Zvir II”) and springs of Krk (“Vela Fontana” and “Ponikva”). F. tularensis subsp. novicida was added to spring water samples and growth kinetics of bacteria was determined by plate counting method. Results were observed in correlation to concentration of metal ions in these natural spring waters. Concentration of metals in water was determined before adding the F. tularensis subsp. novicida and after a period of 10 days. Our results showed that F. tularensis subsp. novicida survives in all natural spring water samples, but the best rate of survival was achieved in water collected from spring “Vela Fontana” where we measured the highest concentration on metal ions. We conclude that F. tularensis survives better in natural spring water samples with highest concentration of metal ions especially Manganese.

F. tularensis subsp. novicida; Spring Water; Metal ions

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