Isolation, survival & transfer of R-plasmid of Salmonella typhimurium in Dal Lake of Kashmir (India).

ABSTRACT

Six strains of S. typhimurium were isolated from water samples of Dal Lake, Srinagar (India). These strains could survive and multiply in the Lake water and its filtrate. Viable count of this bacterium increased abruptly on 6th day of incubation with a peak level on 7th and 9th day, followed by sharp decline on 12th-14th day. Viable count was higher at 37 degrees C than at room temperature. At 4 degrees C this bacterium survived for longer time than at 22 degrees C or 37 degrees C. Viable count was higher and survival longer in the filtrate than in Lake water. Drug resistance could be transferred to Escherichia coli recipient strains from S. typhimurium, both in filtrate and Dal Lake water at 4 degrees C, 22 degrees C and 37 degrees C. The prolonged survival of pathogenic bacteria and transfer of R-plasmid in Dal Lake water could be a health hazard.