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In a microbiological monitoring carried out in various aquatic environment of Sardinia Island (Italy) Vibrio alginolyticus with different virulence phenotypes appeared widely spread. Hemolysis, hemoagglutination and protease production might be together particularly in strains isolated from polluted environments. Adherence capacities to two epithelial cells (Hep-2 and Caco-2) available in laboratory were widely spread in the examined bacterial strains. The adhesion degree was influenced by the utilized cellular clone. The lack of a correspondence between adhesion capacity and more traditional virulence tests do not permit its replacement at screening level.

Samples of diarrhoeic shellfish poison (DSP) mussels from several parts of the Italian Adriatic coastline were extracted and tested according to a number of different methods presently available, i.e. Yasumoto's mouse biotest, Kat's biotest, the ELISA test and the HPLC method. Results were compared for toxic levels detected in each sample. While a common qualitative result (toxic/non-toxic) was given by all the methods, no clear quantitative agreement was found. The differences between methods and consequent lack of agreement in results are discussed.

This review presents the problem of eutrophication of lakes whose waters are used also for potable use. The indirect negative impact of algal blooms as well as the direct consequences of the overgrowth of toxic Cyanophyta are considered. Problems for water treatment plants processing eutrophic raw water are exposed. Basic treatment will not easily remove algae or their by-products and increased use of chlorine will give rise to high levels of chlorinated by-products such as THM. Possible alternatives and improvements are suggested for the treatment of poor quality raw water to obtain high quality drinking water.