Influence of hydrological conditions on the Escherichia coli population structure in the water of a creek on a rural watershed.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Escherichia coli is a commensal bacterium of the gastro-intestinal tract of human and vertebrate animals, although the aquatic environment could be a secondary habitat. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydrological conditions on the structure of the E. coli population in the water of a creek on a small rural watershed in France composed of pasture and with human occupation.

Results

It became apparent, after studying the distribution in the four main E. coli phylo-groups (A, B1, B2, D), the presence of the hly (hemolysin) gene and the antibiotic resistance pattern, that the E. coli population structure was modified not only by the hydrological conditions (dry versus wet periods, rainfall events), but also by how the watershed was used (presenc

SUBMITTER: Ratajczak M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2933670 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature