Survival of Burkholderia pseudomallei and Pathogenic Leptospira in Cola, Beer, Energy Drinks, and Sports Drinks

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Jul;103(1):249-252. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0948. Epub 2020 Apr 2.

Abstract

Burkholderia pseudomallei and pathogenic Leptospira in contaminated drinking water can cause melioidosis and leptospirosis, respectively. Here, we evaluated their survival in beverages. We mixed six isolates (three isolates per organism) in four beverages (Coca-Cola®, Red Bull®, Singha® beer, and Gatorade®) and distilled water as the control at two final concentrations (1 × 107 colony-forming units [CFU]/mL and 1 × 103 CFU/mL). The solution was kept at two temperatures (37°C and 4°C). At 4°C and at the high concentration, pathogenic Leptospira survived in Coca-Cola® up to 3 minutes and in Singha, Red Bull®, and Gatorade up to 15 minutes, whereas B. pseudomallei survived in these beverages up to 8 hours, and 14, 14, and 28 days, respectively. The survival time of both organisms was shorter at 37°C (P = 0.01) and at the lower concentration (P = 0.001). In conclusion, Leptospira can survive in some beverages for up to 15 minutes, whereas B. pseudomallei can survive in some beverages for up to 4 weeks.

MeSH terms

  • Beer / microbiology*
  • Beverages / microbiology
  • Burkholderia pseudomallei / growth & development*
  • Carbonated Beverages / microbiology*
  • Energy Drinks / microbiology*
  • Food Contamination
  • Isotonic Solutions
  • Leptospira / growth & development*
  • Leptospira interrogans / growth & development
  • Sports
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Isotonic Solutions
  • gatorade