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Population dynamics of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. in an urban river after an extreme wet weather event
Conference presentation

Population dynamics of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. in an urban river after an extreme wet weather event

Nicole Masters
2012 University Research Conference Program Book, p.18
USC Research Conference, 2012 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 09-Jul-2012–13-Jul-2012)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2012
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https://www.usc.edu.au/View
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Abstract

Microbiology Escherichia coli urban river
Escherichia coli and enterococci spp. are common water quality indicators, however they may also be pathogenic carrying several virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. We investigated the population dynamics of these indicator bacteria from 22 different sites during 3 sampling round with 2 weeks interval, along the Brisbane River after the 2010-2011 flood. There was a significantly (P < 0.05) higher numbers of E. coli and enterococci in most sampling sites during the first sampling round than the second or the third sample. In all, 360 E. coli strains were typed using a high resolution biochemical fingerprinting method and grouped into either single (S) or common (C) biochemical phenotypes (BPT). These strains were also tested for 59 virulence genes associated with intestinal and extraintestinal E. coli and 23 antibiotics. Four hundred and ninety-two enterococci spp. were also typed and tested for 6 VGs involved in pathogenesis of enterococci and 15 antibiotics. The obtained results indicated the presence and persistence of certain dominant E. coli and enterococci clonal groups during all three rounds. Two E. coli clonal groups were found to represent 30% of all isolates, with multiple antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. Three enterococci clonal groups were also found to represent over 45% of all isolates with multiple antibiotic resistance and virulence genes.

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