Líffræðifélag Íslands
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2013
Veggspjald 60


The biotic reservoirs of Vibrio cholerae at geothermal sites at the Icelandic coast



Herdís Eva Hermundardóttir og Eva Benediktsdóttir

Institute of Life- and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland

Kynnir: Herdís Eva Hermundardóttir
Tengiliður: Eva Benediktsdóttir (eben@hi.is)

Vibrio cholerae was first discovered at the coast of Iceland in 2006 at isolated spots where hot water flows into the ocean, either from natural hot springs situated at the tidal zone or overflow from geothermal heating utilities. Cold sea water surrounds the places resulting in temperatures far below the growth temperature of V. cholerae. The aim of the study is to determine the biotic reservoirs of V. cholerae at four representative geothermal locations at the Icelandic coast, examine the dissemination of V. cholerae from the same geothermal points and to map the environmental conditions in their habitats. Samples from sea water, sediment and macro-organisms were taken and processed before incubated in APW, that was analyzed by PCR and by streaking on TCBS followed by further verification. Vibrio cholerae were detected all occasions when samples were collected at three sites with rich flora and fauna, but one site with poor flora and fauna were negative for V. cholerae.  Macroscopic organisms positive for V. cholerae were lugworm species, amphipods, kelp, rough periwinkle and mussels.  Sixty-one % of sediment samples collected at 4-17°C were positive.  Sea water samples collected up to 4 km from the three locations were positive. The results indicate that V. cholerae is able to reside in cultivable form in different organisms at temperatures fluctuating far below their minimum growth temperature.