Journal article
Pathogenic Escherichia coli found in sewage treatment plants and environmental waters
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol.78(16), pp.5536-5541
2012
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that some Escherichia coli strains with uropathogenic properties survived treatment stages of sewage treatment plants (STPs), suggesting that they may be released into the environment. We investigated the presence of such strains in the surrounding environmental waters of four STPs from which these persistent strains were isolated. In all, 264 E. coli isolates were collected from 129 receiving water sites in a 20km radius surrounding STPs. We also included 93 E. coli strains collected from 18 animal species for comparison. Isolates were typed using a high resolution biochemical fingerprinting method (the PhPlate system), and grouped into common (C) types. One hundred and forty seven (56%) environmental isolates were identical to strains found in STPs' final effluents. Of these, 140 (95%) carried virulence genes (VGs) associated with intestinal pathogenic E. coli (IPEC) or uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and were found in a variety of sites within areas sampled. Of the remaining 117 environmental strains not identical to STP strains, 105 belonged to 18 C-types and 102 of them carried VGs found among IPEC or UPEC strains. These strains belonged mainly to phylogenetic groups A (A0 and A1) and B1and to a lesser extent B22, B23, D1 and D2. Eight out of 18 environmental C-types comprising 50 isolates also were identical to bird strains. The presence of a high percentage of environmental E. coli in waters near STPs carrying VGs associated with IPEC and UPEC suggest that they may have derived from STP effluents and other non-point sources.
Details
- Title
- Pathogenic Escherichia coli found in sewage treatment plants and environmental waters
- Authors
- Emma M Anastasi (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringB Matthews (Author) - Griffith UniversityH M Stratton (Author) - Griffith UniversityMohammad Katouli (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol.78(16), pp.5536-5541
- Publisher
- American Society for Microbiology
- Date published
- 2012
- DOI
- 10.1128/AEM.00657-12
- ISSN
- 0099-2240
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2012, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved. Reproduced here in accordance with the publisher's copyright policy.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450126402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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