Assessing the population dynamics of Escherichia coli in a metropolitan river after an extreme flood event

Nicole Masters; Aaron Wiegand; Jasmin M Thompson; Tara L Vollmerhausen; Eva Hatje; Mohammad Katouli

doi:10.2166/wh.2016.285

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Assessing the population dynamics of Escherichia coli in a metropolitan river after an extreme flood event

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Assessing the population dynamics of Escherichia coli in a metropolitan river after an extreme flood event

Nicole Masters, Aaron Wiegand, Jasmin M Thompson, Tara L Vollmerhausen, Eva Hatje and Mohammad Katouli

Journal of water and health, Vol.15(2), pp.196-208

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2016.285

PMID: 28362301

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Abstract

We investigated Escherichia coli populations in a metropolitan river after an extreme flood event. Between nine and 15 of the 23 selected sites along the river were sampled fortnightly over three rounds. In all, 307 E. coli were typed using the PhP typing method and were grouped into common (C) or single (S) biochemical phenotypes (BPTs). A representative from each of the 31 identified C-BPTs was tested for 58 virulence genes (VGs) associated with intestinal and extra-intestinal E. coli, resistance to 22 antibiotics, production of biofilm and cytotoxicity to Vero cells. The number of E. coli in the first sampling round was significantly (P & 0.01) higher than subsequent rounds, whereas the number of VGs was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in isolates from the last sampling round when compared to previous rounds. Comparison of the C-BPTs with an existing database from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the same catchment showed that 40.6% of the river isolates were identical to the WWTP isolates. The relatively high number of VGs and antibiotic resistance among the C-BPTs suggests possessing and retaining these genes may provide niche advantages for those naturalised and/or persistent E. coli populations which may pose a health risk to the community.

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Title: Assessing the population dynamics of Escherichia coli in a metropolitan river after an extreme flood event
Authors: Nicole Masters (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Aaron Wiegand (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Jasmin M Thompson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Tara L Vollmerhausen (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Eva Hatje (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Mohammad Katouli (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Journal of water and health, Vol.15(2), pp.196-208
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date published: 2017
DOI: 10.2166/wh.2016.285
ISSN: 1477-8920
PMID: 28362301
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; School of Health; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451158502621
Output Type: Journal article

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