Detection of virulence genes in Escherichia coli of an existing metabolic fingerprint database to predict the sources of pathogenic E. coli in surface waters.

A collection of 366 Escherichia coli strains from 10 host groups and surface waters were tested for the presence of 15 virulence genes associated with strains causing intestinal and extra-intestinal infections. The virulence genes included eaeA, VT1, 2 and 2e, LT1, ST1 and 2, Einv gene, EAgg gene, CNF1 and 2, papC, O111 and O157 side chain LPS. Of the 262 strains obtained from nine different hosts, 39 (15%) carried one or more of these virulence genes. These included six strains from humans, two from horses, eight from dogs, two from ducks, five from cattle, seven from chickens, four from pigs, two from sheep and three from deer. Of the remaining 104 strains obtained from water samples, 10 (10%) also carried one or more of the tested virulence genes. Of these, six had identical biochemical phenotypes (BPTs) to strains isolated from humans (two strains), dogs (two strains), chickens (one strain) and sheep (one strain) with 4 BPTs also carrying same virulence genes. Our results indicate that the sources of clinically important E. coli strains found in surface waters due to faecal contamination can be predicted by using a combination of biochemical fingerprinting method and the detection of virulence genes. From the public health point of view this information will be of great importance for evaluating the risk associated with public use of the catchment.