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Fungi in water pose great risk to immune-compromised individuals

24 July 2023 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied

Yeast and other filamentous fungi, which pose a great risk to the health of immune-compromised or suppressed individuals, can be found in various drinking water sources such as ground, spring, surface, and tap water. These opportunistic pathogens may cause severe to fatal infections and can range from superficial to bloodstream or systemic infections.

This is according to Tyla Baker, a postgraduate student in the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry at the University of the Free State (UFS). She is studying for her MSc degree in Microbiology under the supervision Prof Carlien Pohl-Albertyn, National Research Forum (NRF) SARChI Research Chair in Pathogenic Yeasts. Prof Jacobus Albertyn and Dr Jolly Musoke are her co-supervisors.

Baker says the fungi in the water highlights that current water treatment processes are not efficient in their removal from water destined for household use. “These infections may not be harmful to people with healthy immune systems, but do pose a great risk to the health of immune-compromised or suppressed individuals.

Definite possibility to contract fungal infections from polluted water

“As the number of people with immune systems that are less functional (e.g. premature babies, elderly persons, people with cancer, diabetes or other serious diseases, HIV+ persons, transplant patients) increases, the number of people at risk of fungal infection also increases,” says Baker.

According to Baker, a previous study done in Brazil has identified yeast in bottled mineral water as well as municipally supplied tap water. The potential risk to contract fungal infections from polluted water sources is a definite possibility but more research is required to fully understand and determine the level of risk and the extent of its effects, she says. In the context of Mangaung, it is a concern that untreated water from sewage works as well as other sewage often leaks into the environment (as evidenced by numerous recent articles in local newspapers). These waters are potential carriers of large numbers of pathogens (including pathogenic yeasts/fungi) that may increase the risk to people coming into contact with it.

Baker says there is a good chance people are consuming these kinds of micro-organisms daily, considering that yeast and other filamentous fungi can also form biofilms inside pipes and spread as the impact of water flow dislodges these cells. “People will not even be aware that they are consuming these micro-organisms, some fungi are considered nuisance microbes and may cause a change in the smell and taste of water which may act as an indicator that the water is contaminated, but tests would be needed to confirm this,” she says.

The effects of consuming these fungi are still a grey area of research since the full extent of the consumption of yeast is still unknown, but there are studies being conducted to elucidate the full impact of this occurrence, says Baker. The risk depends on the immune status of the person, the specific species of yeast/fungus ingested, and the number of cells/spores ingested.

Culture-dependent and independent methods

“It is important to know that many pathogenic yeasts and other fungi are opportunistic pathogens, meaning they infect individuals whose immune systems are compromised due to various reasons such as illness (HIV/AIDS, cancer, TB etc.), undergoing organ transplants or even something as simple as using antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics.

“Taking this into account, along with the HIV/AIDS statistics in South Africa, which has a prevalence rate of 13,7% with approximately 8,2 million people in 2021 living with HIV, these individuals are more susceptible to infection by these opportunistic pathogens. Some of these pathogenic yeasts are also multidrug resistant or show resistance to readily available antifungals, such as fluconazole, which hinders the ability of healthcare professionals to efficiently treat infections to avoid fatal/severe outcomes,” explains Baker.

For her studies, she will be testing for fungi in water by using a combination of culture-dependent and independent methods to try and identify yeast present in wastewater. Baker says culture-dependent techniques will include culturing (growing) yeast on an appropriate medium while culture-independent techniques will include more intricate molecular work in the form of a multiplex PCR (polymerase chain reaction) which will enable her to identify an array of pathogenic yeasts present in samples.

According to Baker, people can stay safe by boiling water before drinking it, although temperatures above 100°C are required to kill most harmful microbes. Regular cleaning of shower heads and faucets help to prevent build-up which may act as a surface to which fungi will attach to and grow. Another way to stay safe is to maintain and regularly inspect water filters for damage and avoid contact with untreated sewage.

News Archive

UFS Centenary 2004 / 2005 October (centenary) fest Activities

2004-10-08

Friday, 08 October 2004
17:00 – 24:00
Callie Human Centre, UFS
Macufe Rock Concert
With: Rooibaardt, Karen Zoid, The Narrow, F****polisiekar, Stuurbaard Bakkebaard (from the Netherlands), DJ Bob, Ready D, Neva Me.
Cost : R50-00
Bookings : Pacofs (051-447 7772)

Sunday, 10 October 2004
16:00 – 18:00
Callie Human Centre, UFS
Macufe Three Tenors Concert
With: Phillip Kotze, Chris Coetzer and Du Preez Stolz, as well as Angela Kerrison. Free State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Chris Dowdeswell.
Cost :R60-00 (adults), R40-00 (children, scholars, students and pensioners)
Bookings : Pacofs (051-447 7772)

Tuesday, 12 October 2004
11:00 – 15:00
Centenary Complex, UFS
Inauguration of Centenary Complex
Open day with a variety of musical recitals in different rooms
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

15:00 – 17:00
Parking area next to the Centenary Complex, UFS
Kovsie Mosaic Day
Collage of the Century, Dance to the beat, Cultural Cartoon,
Who’s line is it anyway?
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Louis Botha (051-401 2819) or
AC Geldenhuys (084 585 3338)

Wednesday, 13 October 2004
19:00
Centenary Complex, UFS
Première of documentary film : The Life and Legacy of King Moshoeshoe
Note : By invitation only
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Thursday, 14 October 2004
18:45 – 21:00
Red Square (in front of Main Building), UFS
Centenary Honorary Doctorate Degree Graduation Ceremony
Conferred on: Me. Antjie Krog, Prof. Jakes Gerwel, Mr. Karel Schoeman, Dr. Frederick van Zyl Slabbert, Prof. Saleem Badat, Dr. Khotso Mokhele, Prof. Robert Bringle, Prof. Leo Quayle, Prof. Jack de Wet, Prof. Kerneels Nel (posthumously), Prof. Boelie Wessels and Prof. Jaap Steyn .
Cost : Free. Please RSVP if you would like to attend.
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Friday, 15 October 2004
18:30
Centenary Complex, UFS
Alumni Dinner and Centenary Award Ceremony
Approximately 140 centenary medals will be awarded in acknowledgement of exceptional contributions to the development of the University. The award ceremony is followed by the Alumni dinner in the Callie Human Centre.
Cost : R100-00/person
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

15:00 (to 12:00, Saturday, 16 October 2004),
UFS campus
Reunion : Momentum Adventure and Expedition Association
Including : Setting up of the Kovsie Momentum base camp, champagne breakfast and abseiling.
Cost : R50-00/person for breakfast
Enquiries : Gerrit van der Merwe (072 4317 153) or
Niel Fraser (082 772 5642)
Website : www.uovs.ac.za/associations/momentum_hrcc.

19:00 (to 11:00 Sunday, 17 October 2004)
Reunion : Cantare Revue Group
Including : Formal dinner, budget show, bring and braai, church service.
Cost : R100-00/person for the dinner
Enquiries : Louis Botha (051-401 2819)

19:00 (to 24:00 Saturday, 16 October 2004
Reunion : House NJ van der Merwe
Including : Senior Student’s Association and concerts
Cost : R5-00/person
Enquiries : Tutu Ntlathi (051-401 4122 / 072 865 2227)

Saturday, 16 October 2004
09:00 – 10:00
Committee Room 120, Faculty of Theology
Founding of Theology Alumni Association
Enquiries: Henna Nel (051-401 2669)

10:00 – 12:00
Parking area, CR Swart Building, UFS
Alumni Campus Tour
Including : Visits to the new physical developments on campus
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Jeanette Jansen (051-401 3594)

10:00 – 12:00
Sonnedou gazellie (next to NJ van der Merwe Residence), UFS
Reunion : Ladies’ Tea
Visit our new gazellie and find out what Sonnedou is up to these days.
Cost : R25-00/person
Enquiries : Anne-Marie Delport (072 109 0507)

12:00 – 16:00
JBM Hertzog Residence (garden in front of Senior Student’s Association), UFS
Reunion : Braai
Cost : Approximately R20-00/person
Enquiries : Hattingh Bornman (084 240 5226)

12:00 Vergeet-my-nie Residence, UFS
Reunion : Braai
Bring and braai. We supply the facilities. Bring old photographs and stories. Enjoy Aunt Juls’ last visit.
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Mari Jordaan (051-444 2832/072 392 4444)

12:00 HF Verwoerd Residence Senior Student’s Association, UFS
Reunion : Spit roast
Cost : R60-00/person
Enquiries : Jan-Chris Landman (051-401 3613 / 082 664 6062)

18:30 Floreat Hall, Bloemfontein Civic Centre (Braam Fisher Building)
Irawa 60 Reunion
For all former editors, former and current main editorial staff and coworkers
Cost : R100-00/person
Enquiries : Sanri van Wyk (072 333 1011)
Elzette Boucher (072 180 6265)

19:00 – 24:00 Red Square (in front of Main Building), UFS
Informal Alumni Reunion
Spit roast and stories in a marquee
Cost : R60-00/person
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Sunday, 17 October 2004
10:00 – 11:00
Kovsie Church
Church Service

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