B A Layton1, S P Walters1, L H Lam1, A B Boehm1. 1. Environmental and Water Studies, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
Abstract
AIMS: This study evaluated the use of Enterococcus species differentiation as a tool for microbial source tracking (MST) in recreational waters. METHODS AND RESULTS: Avian, mammalian and human faecal samples were screened for the occurrence of Enterococcus avium, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus durans, Enterococcus gallinarum, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus hirae and Enterococcus saccharolyticus using multiplex PCR. Host-specific patterns of Enterococcus species presence were observed only when data for multiple Enterococcus species were considered in aggregate. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that no single Enterococcus species is a reliable indicator of the host faecal source. However, Enterococcus species composite 'fingerprints' may offer auxiliary evidence for bacterial source identification. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: This study presents novel information on the enterococci species assemblages present in avian and mammalian hosts proximate to the nearshore ocean. These data will aid the development of appropriate MST strategies, and the approach used in this study could potentially assist in the identification of faecal pollution sources.
AIMS: This study evaluated the use of Enterococcus species differentiation as a tool for microbial source tracking (MST) in recreational waters. METHODS AND RESULTS: Avian, mammalian and human faecal samples were screened for the occurrence of Enterococcus avium, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus durans, Enterococcus gallinarum, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus hirae and Enterococcus saccharolyticus using multiplex PCR. Host-specific patterns of Enterococcus species presence were observed only when data for multiple Enterococcus species were considered in aggregate. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that no single Enterococcus species is a reliable indicator of the host faecal source. However, Enterococcus species composite 'fingerprints' may offer auxiliary evidence for bacterial source identification. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: This study presents novel information on the enterococci species assemblages present in avian and mammalian hosts proximate to the nearshore ocean. These data will aid the development of appropriate MST strategies, and the approach used in this study could potentially assist in the identification of faecal pollution sources.
Authors: Hodon Ryu; Michael Henson; Michael Elk; Carlos Toledo-Hernandez; John Griffith; Denene Blackwood; Rachel Noble; Michèle Gourmelon; Susan Glassmeyer; Jorge W Santo Domingo Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2012-10-19 Impact factor: 4.792
Authors: Amber M Koskey; Jenny C Fisher; Mary F Traudt; Ryan J Newton; Sandra L McLellan Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2013-11-15 Impact factor: 4.792