MAY BOTTLED WATER BE A FACTOR FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF ACUTE ENTERIC PATHOGENS?

Objective. To make an epidemiological and microbiological assessment of bottled water as a factorfor the transmission of acute enteric pathogens. Materials and methods. An epidemiological survey of 960 epidemic foci of acute enteric infections (AEI) with one local case was made using a case-control study. One hundred and fifty-four bottled water samples collected from a given enterprise were examined for bacteria, viruses, and protozoa during a technological process. Results. A relationship was established between the intake of bottled water and the cases of rotavirus and norovirus infections and AEІ of unknown etiology. The samples of bottled water at its production stages showed the DNA/RNA of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and entero-, noro-, and adenoviruses. Conclusion. There is evidence that bottled water can be a factor for the transmission of AEІ pathogens.

bottled water, acute enteric infections, pathogen transmission factor