Enterococci populations of a metropolitan river after an extreme flood event: prevalence, persistence and virulence determinants

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

doi:10.2166/wh.2017.284

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Enterococci populations of a metropolitan river after an extreme flood event: prevalence, persistence and virulence determinants

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Enterococci populations of a metropolitan river after an extreme flood event: prevalence, persistence and virulence determinants

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

Journal of water and health, Vol.15(5), pp.684-694

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2017.284

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Abstract

We investigated the prevalence, persistence and virulence determinants of enterococci populations in water samples collected over three rounds following an extreme flood event in a metropolitan river. Enterococci (n = 482) were typed using the high resolution biochemical fingerprinting method (PhP typing) and grouped into common (C) or single (S) biochemical phenotypes (BPTs). In all, 23 C-BPTs (72.6% of isolates) were found across the sites. A representative isolate of each C-BPT was identified to the species level and tested for the presence of seven virulence genes (VGs), biofilm formation and resistance to 14 antibiotics. The enterococci concentrations in samples collected during the first two rounds were above national recreational water guidelines. By round three enterococci concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.05). However, 11 C-BPTs (55.5% of isolates) persisted across all sampling rounds. E. casseliflavus and E. mundtii were the most common enterococci populations comprising of >57% of all isolates. Ten of the 11 most dominant C-BPTs were resistant to multiple antibiotics and harboured one or more VGs. The high prevalence of antibiotic resistance and VGs among enterococci isolates in this catchment not only provides them with niche advantages but also pose a risk to public health.

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Title: Enterococci populations of a metropolitan river after an extreme flood event: prevalence, persistence and virulence determinants
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(5), pp.684-694
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date published: 2017
DOI: 10.2166/wh.2017.284
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: 99451021402621
Output Type: Journal article

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