Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1974

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Biology and Microbiology

Abstract

The pollution of water by fecal material presents a health hazard to cities obtaining water from streams and rivers since many pathogenic microorganisms, including the fecal streptococci, are associated with this material. Recent studies have furnished data indicating that the fecal streptococci are more accurate than coliform tests for evaluating the sanitary quality of water. The fecal streptococci are gram-positive cocci found in the intestines of man and animals. They have been further subdivided into the enterococcus and viridans streptococci which contain the Lancefield Group D antigen. The enterococci include Streptococcus faecalis and its varieties, while streptococcus b++ovis and Streptococcus equinus comprise the viridans group. The fact that the fecal streptococci do not occur at sites away from fecal contamination makes these microorganisms ideal indicators of fecal pollution. Since S, bovis and S. equinus are associated with ruminants and not man, the distinction between human and animal pollution can be made. Koupal was able to routinely isolate and enumerate S. bovis from water samples by improving the existing methods of isolation. Kohlhoff made further improvements in the materials and methods of isolating S. bovis from surface waters. The purpose of this investigation is to compare and improve the existing methods of isolating S. bovis from water. These improvements would include the development of a method more selective for S. bovis than previous isolation techniques.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Streptococcus

Water -- Standards

Water -- Pollution

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

62

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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