Escherichia coli in urban marine sediments: interpreting virulence, biofilm formation, halotolerance, and antibiotic resistance to infer contamination or naturalization.

ABSTRACT: Marine sediments have been suggested as a reservoir for pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli. The origins, and properties promoting survival of E. coli in marine sediments (including osmotolerance, biofilm formation capacity, and antibiotic resistance), have not been well-characterized. Phenotypes and genotypes of 37 E. coli isolates from coastal marine sediments were characterized. The isolates were diverse: 30 sequence types were identified that have been previously documented in humans, livestock, and other animals. Virulence genes were found in all isolates, with more virulence genes found in isolates sampled from sediment closer to the effluent discharge point of a wastewater treatment plant. Antibiotic resistance was demonstrated phenotypically for one

SUBMITTER: Erb IK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11378635 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature