AIMS: Laribacter hongkongensis is well adapted to diverse freshwater environments and is associated with human community-acquired gastroenteritis and traveller's diarrhoea. The study intended to investigate whether L. hongkongensis could be detected in Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta, a widespread aquatic bird) in Hangzhou, China. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 176 faecal specimens from three habitats in Hangzhou were obtained for this study. L. hongkongensis was isolated from 12 (6·8%) specimens. Identification of the 12 L. hongkongensis isolates was achieved through a combination of phenotypic characterization and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The results illustrate that L. hongkongensis is present in the faeces of Little Egrets from three different habitats in Hangzhou, China. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study suggests the possibility that Little Egrets serve as mechanical carriers of L. hongkongensis, thus potentially transmitting the organism between bodies of water.
AIMS: Laribacter hongkongensis is well adapted to diverse freshwater environments and is associated with human community-acquired gastroenteritis and traveller's diarrhoea. The study intended to investigate whether L. hongkongensis could be detected in Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta, a widespread aquatic bird) in Hangzhou, China. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 176 faecal specimens from three habitats in Hangzhou were obtained for this study. L. hongkongensis was isolated from 12 (6·8%) specimens. Identification of the 12 L. hongkongensis isolates was achieved through a combination of phenotypic characterization and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The results illustrate that L. hongkongensis is present in the faeces of Little Egrets from three different habitats in Hangzhou, China. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study suggests the possibility that Little Egrets serve as mechanical carriers of L. hongkongensis, thus potentially transmitting the organism between bodies of water.
Authors: Lifeng Xiong; Jade L L Teng; Rory M Watt; Biao Kan; Susanna K P Lau; Patrick C Y Woo Journal: BMC Microbiol Date: 2014-02-17 Impact factor: 3.605