Capability of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa to survive in chlorinated water
 
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health   February 2001, vol. 204, no. 2,   pp. 139-142(4)
 
Grobe S.[1]; Wingender J.[1]; Flemming H-C.[1]
 
[1]IWW Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasserforschung gemeinnützige GmbH and Gerhard-Mercator-Universität Duisburg, Fachgebiet Aquatische Mikrobiologie, Moritzstraße 26, 45476 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
 
Abstract:
 

Mucoid strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are characterized by an overproduction of the extracellular polysaccharide alginate. When suspended into chlorinated swimming-pool water or drinking water samples, mucoid bacteria revealed enhanced survival compared with isogenic nonmucoid cells. Removal of slime from mucoid bacteria abolished chlorine resistance, addition of purified alginate to washed bacteria again enhanced survival. Thus, alginate-containing slime confers protection on P. aeruginosa against chlorine and may contribute to survival of these bacteria in chlorinated water systems.