Journal article
Assessing the population dynamics of Escherichia coli in a metropolitan river after an extreme flood event
Journal of water and health, Vol.15(2), pp.196-208
2017
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.
Details
- 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 EngineeringAaron Wiegand (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringJasmin M Thompson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringTara L Vollmerhausen (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringEva Hatje (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringMohammad 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
- 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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- Microbiology
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- Water Resources
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