Affiliation:
1. CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
2. Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland 4558, Australia
3. School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Herston Road, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
Abstract
ABSTRACT
In this study, 200
Escherichia coli
isolates from 22 rainwater tank samples in Southeast Queensland, Australia, were tested for the presence of 20 virulence genes (VGs) associated with intestinal and extraintestinal pathotypes. In addition,
E. coli
isolates were also classified into phylogenetic groups based on the detection of the
chuA
,
yjaA
, and TSPE4.C2 genes. Of the 22 rainwater tanks, 8 (36%) and 5 (23%) were positive for the
eaeA
(belonging to enteropathogenic
E. coli
[EPEC] and Shiga-toxigenic
E. coli
[STEC]) and ST1 (belonging to enterotoxigenic
E. coli
[ETEC]) genes, respectively. VGs (
cdtB
,
cvaC
,
ibeA
,
kpsMT
allele III, PAI,
papAH
, and
traT
) belonging to extraintestinal pathogenic
E. coli
(ExPEC) were detected in 15 (68%) of the 22 rainwater tanks. Of the 22 samples, 17 (77%) and 11 (50%) contained
E. coli
belonging to phylogenetic groups A and B1, respectively. Similarly, 10 (45%) and 16 (72%) contained
E. coli
belonging to phylogenetic groups B2 and D, respectively. Of the 96 of the 200 strains from 22 tanks that were VG positive, 40 (42%) were carrying a single VG, 36 (37.5%) were carrying two VGs, 17 (18%) were carrying three VGs, and 3 (3%) had four or more VGs. This study reports the presence of multiple VGs in
E. coli
strains belonging to the STEC, EPEC, ETEC, and ExPEC pathotypes in rainwater tanks. The public health risks associated with potentially clinically significant
E. coli
in rainwater tanks should be assessed, as the water is used for drinking and other, nonpotable purposes. It is recommended that rainwater be disinfected using effective treatment procedures such as filtration, UV disinfection, or simply boiling prior to drinking.
Publisher
American Society for Microbiology
Subject
Ecology,Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,Food Science,Biotechnology
Cited by
40 articles.
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