scholarly journals Profiles of virulence genes in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolates from suckling piglets in Serbia

2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (01) ◽  
pp. 6326-2020
Author(s):  
JADRANKA ŽUTIĆ ◽  
OLIVERA VALČIĆ ◽  
VESNA MILIĆEVIĆ ◽  
LJUBIŠA VELJOVIĆ ◽  
JASNA KURELJUŠIĆ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Virulence Pattern ◽  
Suckling Piglets ◽  
Asta Gene

A total of 120 Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains from suckling piglets with diarrhoea and 30 E. coli strains from healthy piglets were tested for the presence of fimbrial and enterotoxin virulence genes. Out of the 120 isolates sampled from diarrheic piglets, 81 (67.5%) expressed one or more genes encoding virulence factors. Adhesin genes were detected in 52 (43.33%) out of 120 E. coli isolates, and the most common among them was F4 adhesin (33.33%). Genes encoding E. coli toxins were detected in 81 (67.5%) isolates. E. coli included in the study carried genes for one or more of the following toxins: STa, STb, LT and EAST1. The astA gene encoding EAST1 was the most prevalent and was identified in 72 (60%) E. coli isolates. EAST1 toxin was detected in 5 out of 30 isolates (16.7%) from healthy piglets. Among the 81 isolates expressing virulence genes, a total of 15 different combinations for fimbrial and toxin genes were found. The most common virulence pattern was F4/STb/LT/EAST1 detected in 23.45% of E. coli strains isolated from suckling piglets with diarrhoea. The results indicate that F4 adhesin and EAST1 toxin are the most common in E. coli isolates sampled from diarrhoeic suckling piglets in Serbia.

scholarly journals Serogroups and virulence genes of Escherichia coli isolated from psittacine birds

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 916-921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terezinha Knöbl ◽  
André B.S Saidenberg ◽  
Andrea M Moreno ◽  
Tânia A.T Gomes ◽  
Mônica A.M Vieira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Serum Resistance ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor ◽  
Heat Stable ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor 1

Escherichia coli isolates from 24 sick psittacine birds were serogrouped and investigated for the presence of genes encoding the following virulence factors: attaching and effacing (eae), enteropathogenic E. coli EAF plasmid (EAF), pili associated with pyelonephritis (pap), S fimbriae (sfa), afimbrial adhesin (afa), capsule K1 (neu), curli (crl, csgA), temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin (tsh), enteroaggregative heat-stable enterotoxin-1 (astA), heat-stable enterotoxin -1 heat labile (LT) and heat stable (STa and STb) enterotoxins, Shiga-like toxins (stx1 and stx2), cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (cnf1), haemolysin (hly), aerobactin production (iuc) and serum resistance (iss). The results showed that the isolates belonged to 12 serogroups: O7; O15; O21; O23; O54; O64; O76; O84; O88; O128; O152 and O166. The virulence genes found were: crl in all isolates, pap in 10 isolates, iss in seven isolates, csgA in five isolates, iuc and tsh in three isolates and eae in two isolates. The combination of virulence genes revealed 11 different genotypic patterns. All strains were negative for genes encoding for EAF, EAEC, K1, sfa, afa, hly, cnf, LT, STa, STb, stx1 and stx2. Our findings showed that some E. coli isolated from psittacine birds present the same virulence factors as avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) pathotypes.

scholarly journals Reconstitution of Acetosyringone-Mediated Agrobacterium tumefaciens Virulence Gene Expression in the Heterologous Host Escherichia coli

2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (12) ◽  
pp. 3704-3711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott M. Lohrke ◽  
Hongjiang Yang ◽  
Shouguang Jin
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Agrobacterium Tumefaciens ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Virulence Gene Expression ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Glucose Binding

ABSTRACT The ability to utilize Escherichia coli as a heterologous system in which to study the regulation ofAgrobacterium tumefaciens virulence genes and the mechanism of transfer DNA (T-DNA) transfer would provide an important tool to our understanding and manipulation of these processes. We have previously reported that the rpoA gene encoding the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase is required for the expression of lacZ gene under the control of virB promoter (virBp::lacZ) in E. colicontaining a constitutively active virG gene [virG(Con)]. Here we show that an RpoA hybrid containing the N-terminal 247 residues from E. coli and the C-terminal 89 residues from A. tumefaciens was able to significantly express virBp::lacZ in E. coli in a VirG(Con)-dependent manner. Utilization oflac promoter-driven virA and virGin combination with the A. tumefaciens rpoA construct resulted in significant inducer-mediated expression of thevirBp::lacZ fusion, and the level ofvirBp::lacZ expression was positively correlated to the copy number of the rpoA construct. This expression was dependent on VirA, VirG, temperature, and, to a lesser extent, pH, which is similar to what is observed in A. tumefaciens. Furthermore, the effect of sugars on virgene expression was observed only in the presence of thechvE gene, suggesting that the glucose-binding protein ofE. coli, a homologue of ChvE, does not interact with the VirA molecule. We also evaluated other phenolic compounds in induction assays and observed significant expression with syringealdehyde, a low level of expression with acetovanillone, and no expression with hydroxyacetophenone, similar to what occurs in A. tumefaciens strain A348 from which the virA clone was derived. These data support the notion that VirA directly senses the phenolic inducer. However, the overall level of expression of thevir genes in E. coli is less than what is observed in A. tumefaciens, suggesting that additional gene(s) from A. tumefaciens may be required for the full expression of virulence genes in E. coli.

scholarly journals Virulence Genes and Molecular Typing of Different Groups of Escherichia coli O157 Strains in Cattle

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (19) ◽  
pp. 6282-6291 ◽  
Author(s):  
István Tóth ◽  
Herbert Schmidt ◽  
Gábor Kardos ◽  
Zsuzsanna Lancz ◽  
Kristina Creuzburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Housekeeping Genes ◽  
Enzyme Analysis ◽  
Virulence Plasmid ◽  
O157 Strain ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Strain Collection ◽  
Genes Encoding

ABSTRACT Characterization of an Escherichia coli O157 strain collection (n = 42) derived from healthy Hungarian cattle revealed the existence of diverse pathotypes. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC; eae positive) appeared to be the most frequent pathotype (n = 22 strains), 11 O157 strains were typical enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC; stx and eae positive), and 9 O157 strains were atypical, with none of the key stx and eae virulence genes detected. EHEC and EPEC O157 strains all carried eae-gamma, tir-gamma, tccP, and paa. Other virulence genes located on the pO157 virulence plasmid and different O islands (O island 43 [OI-43] and OI-122), as well as espJ and espM, also characterized the EPEC and EHEC O157 strains with similar frequencies. However, none of these virulence genes were detected by PCR in atypical O157 strains. Interestingly, five of nine atypical O157 strains produced cytolethal distending toxin V (CDT-V) and carried genes encoding long polar fimbriae. Macro-restriction fragment enzyme analysis (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) revealed that these E. coli O157 strains belong to four main clusters. Multilocus sequence typing analysis revealed that five housekeeping genes were identical in EHEC and EPEC O157 strains but were different in the atypical O157 strains. These results suggest that the Hungarian bovine E. coli O157 strains represent at least two main clones: EHEC/EPEC O157:H7/NM (nonmotile) and atypical CDT-V-producing O157 strains with H antigens different from H7. The CDT-V-producing O157 strains represent a novel genogroup. The pathogenic potential of these strains remains to be elucidated.

Virulence factors analysis and antibiotic resistance of uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from patients in northeast of Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdis Ghavidel ◽  
Tahere Gholamhosseini-Moghadam ◽  
Kimiya Nourian ◽  
Kiarash Ghazvini
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Resistance Pattern ◽  
Antibiotics Resistance ◽  
Disk Diffusion Test ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Tract Infections

Background and Objectives: Escherichia coli is known to be the pathogen commonly isolated from those infected with uri- nary tract infections (UTIs). The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of E. coli virulence genes and antibiotics’ resistance pattern among clinical isolates in the Northeast of Iran. Relationships between virulence genes and antimicrobial resistances were studied as well. Materials and Methods: Three hundred isolates of E. coli were isolated from patients with UTIs that referred to Ghaem and Imam Reza hospitals (Mashhad, Iran) during August 2016 to February 2017. A multiplex PCR was employed to amplify the genes encoding pyelonephritis associated pili (pap), S-family adhesions (sfa), type1fimbriae (fimH) and aerobactin (aer). Disk diffusion test was performed to test the susceptibility of isolates to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, quino- lone, fluoroquinolones, carbapenems and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Results: The PCR results identified the fimH in 78.4%, aer in 70.5%, sfa in 13.6% and the pap in 8.2% of isolates. The rates of antibiotic resistance of the isolates were as follows: 64.7% resistant to cephalosporins, 34% to trimethoprim-sul- famethoxazole, 31% to fluoroquinolones, 15.3% to aminoglycosides, 13.3% to β-lactams, 7.8% to quinolones and 4.4% to carbapenems. Significant relationships existed between pap and aer, pap and sfa, aer and fluoroquinolones also pap and cephalosporins. Conclusion: fimH and aer were found in > 50% of isolates suggesting the importance of both genes in UPEC. The majority of isolates had fimH as adhesion factor for colonization. Determining antibiotic resistance patterns in specific geographical areas is necessary for appropriate treatment of urinary tract infection. The high rate of resistance to cephalosporins is most likely due to incorrect drug administration

scholarly journals Isolation and Characterization of Potentially Pathogenic Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains from Chicken and Pig Farms in Spain

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 2799-2805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Cortés ◽  
Vanessa Blanc ◽  
Azucena Mora ◽  
Ghizlane Dahbi ◽  
Jesús E. Blanco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
Zoonotic Risk ◽  
Poultry Farms ◽  
Pig Farms ◽  
Genes Encoding

ABSTRACT To ascertain whether on animal farms there reside extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and plasmidic class C β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates potentially pathogenic for humans, phylogenetic analyses, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing, serotyping, and virulence genotyping were performed for 86 isolates from poultry (57 isolates) and pig (29 isolates) farms. E. coli isolates from poultry farms carried genes encoding enzymes of the CTX-M-9 group as well as CMY-2, whereas those from pig farms mainly carried genes encoding CTX-M-1 enzymes. Poultry and pig isolates differed significantly in their phylogenetic group assignments, with phylogroup A predominating in pig isolates and phylogroup D predominating in avian isolates. Among the 86 farm isolates, 23 (26.7%) carried two or more virulence genes typical of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Of these, 20 were isolated from poultry farms and only 3 from pig farms. Ten of the 23 isolates belonged to the classic human ExPEC serotypes O2:H6, O2:HNM, O2:H7, O15:H1, and O25:H4. Despite the high diversity of serotypes and pulsotypes detected among the 86 farm isolates, 13 PFGE clusters were identified. Four of these clusters contained isolates with two or more virulence genes, and two clusters exhibited the classic human ExPEC serotypes O2:HNM (ST10) and O2:H6 (ST115). Although O2:HNM and O2:H6 isolates of human and animal origins differed with respect to their virulence genes and PFGE pulsotypes, the O2:HNM isolates from pigs showed the same sequence type (ST10) as those from humans. The single avian O15:H1 isolate was compared with human clinical isolates of this serotype. Although all were found to belong to phylogroup D and shared the same virulence gene profile, they differed in their sequence types (ST362-avian and ST393-human) and PFGE pulsotypes. Noteworthy was the detection, for the first time, in poultry farms of the clonal groups O25b:H4-ST131-B2, producing CTX-M-9, and O25a-ST648-D, producing CTX-M-32. The virulence genes and PFGE profiles of these two groups were very similar to those of clinical human isolates. While further studies are required to determine the true zoonotic potential of these clonal groups, our results emphasize the zoonotic risk posed especially by poultry farms, but also by pig farms, as reservoirs of ESBL- and CMY-2-encoding E. coli.

scholarly journals Virulence and antibiotic resistance profile of avian Escherichia coli strains isolated from colibacillosis lesions in central of Algeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1840-1848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nacima Meguenni ◽  
Nathalie Chanteloup ◽  
Angelina Tourtereau ◽  
Chafika Ali Ahmed ◽  
Saliha Bounar-Kechih ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Iron Acquisition ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Resistance Profile ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Profile ◽  
Embryo Lethality

Background and Aim: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli cause extensive mortality in poultry flocks, leading to extensive economic losses. To date, in Algeria, little information has been available on virulence potential and antibiotics resistance of avian E. coli isolates. Therefore, the aim of this study was the characterization of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance profile of Algerian E. coli strains isolated from diseased broilers. Materials and Methods: In this study, 43 avian E. coli strains isolated from chicken colibacillosis lesions at different years were analyzed to determine their contents in 10 virulence factors by polymerase chain reaction, antimicrobial susceptibility to 22 antibiotics belonging to six different chemical classes and genomic diversity by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results: Mainly E. coli isolates (58.1%) carried two at six virulence genes and the most frequent virulence gene association detected were ompT (protectin), hlyF (hemolysin) with 55.8% (p<0.001), and iroN, sitA (iron acquisition/uptake systems), and iss (protectin) with 41.8% (p<0.001). Some strains were diagnosed as virulent according to their virulence gene profile. Indeed, 23.25% of the isolates harbored iroN, ompT, hlyF, iss, and sitA combination, 14% ompT, hlyF, and frzorf4 (sugar metabolism), and 11,6% iroN, hlyF, ompT, iss, iutA (iron acquisition/uptake systems), and frzorf4. The chicken embryo lethality assay performed on five isolates confirmed the potential virulence of these strains. All isolates submitted to PFGE analysis yielded different genetic profiles, which revealed their diversity. Overall, 97.2% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic and 53.5% demonstrated multi-antimicrobial resistance to three different antimicrobial classes. The highest resistance levels were against nalidixic acid (83.4%), amoxicillin and ampicillin (83.3%), ticarcillin (80.5%), pipemidic acid (75%), and triméthoprim-sulfamethoxazole (66.6%). For beta-lactam class, the main phenotype observed belonged to broad-spectrum beta-lactamases. However, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase associated with three at six virulence factors was also detected in 13 isolates. Two of them were attested virulent as demonstrated in the embryo lethality test which constitutes a real public threat. Conclusion: It would be imperative in avian production to discourage misuse while maintaining constant vigilance guidelines and regulations, to limit and rationalize antimicrobial use.

scholarly journals Antibiotic resistance and virulence of Escherichia coli strains isolated from animal rendering plant

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Gregova ◽  
Vladimir Kmet
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibacterial Agents ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Beta Lactamases ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Animal Wastes ◽  
Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases ◽  
High Level

Abstract Processing of animal carcasses and other animal wastes in rendering plants is a significant source of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. The main goal of this study was to investigate the resistance to 18 antibacterial agents including β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, colistin and virulence factors (iss, tsh, cvaC, iutA, papC, kps and ibeA genes) in 88 Escherichia coli strains isolated from a rendering plant over 1 year period. ESBL (Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases) and plasmid-mediated Amp were screened by interpretative reading of MIC. ESBL phenotype was detected in 20.4% of samples and high level of resistance to fluoroquinolone was found in 27.2% of strains. Cephalosporinase CTX-M1, cephamycinase CMY-2, integrase 1 and transposon 3 genes were detected by PCR. Furthermore, there were found three CMY-2 producing E. coli with O25b-ST131, resistant to the high level of enrofloxacin and containing the gene encoding the ferric aerobactin receptor (iutA). One enrofloxacin resistant E. coli strain possessed iss, ibeA, kps and papC virulence genes also with CMY-2, integrase1 and Tn3. ST131 E. coli with CMY-2 has a zoonotic potential and presents a serious health risk to humans.

scholarly journals Carbapenem Resistance Profiles of Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-73
Author(s):  
Kenneth Ssekatawa ◽  
Denis K. Byarugaba ◽  
Jesca L. Nakavuma ◽  
Charles D. Kato ◽  
Francis Ejobi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Carbapenem Resistance ◽  
Phylogenetic Group ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Phylogenetic Groups ◽  
Phenotypic Resistance ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Tract Infections

Escherichia coli has been implicated as one of the main etiological agents of diarrhea, urinary tract infections, meningitis and septicemia worldwide. The ability to cause diseases is potentiated by presence of virulence factors. The virulence factors influence the capacity of E. coli to infect and colonize different body systems. Thus, pathogenic E. coli are grouped into DEC strains that are mainly clustered in phylogenetic group B1 and A; ExPEC belonging to A, B2 and D. Coexistence of virulence and beta-lactamase encoding genes complicates treatment outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed at presenting the carbapenem resistance (CR) profiles among pathogenic E. coli. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study involving use of 421 archived E. coli clinical isolates collected in 2019 from four Uganda tertiary hospitals. The isolates were subjected to antibiotics sensitivity assays to determine phenotypic resistance. Four sets of multiplex PCR were performed to detect CR genes, DEC pathotypes virulence genes, ExPEC PAI and the E. coli phylogenetic groups. Antibiotic susceptibility revealed that all the 421 E. coli isolates used were MDR as they exhibited 100% resistance to more than one of the first-line antibiotics. The study registered phenotypic and genotypic CR prevalence of 22.8% and 33.0% respectively. The most predominant gene was blaOXA-48 with genotypic frequency of 33.0%, then blaVIM (21.0%), blaIMP (16.5%), blaKPC (14.8%) and blaNDM (14.8%). Spearman’s correlation revealed that presence of CR genes was highly associated with phenotypic resistance. Furthermore, of 421 MDR E. coli isolates, 19.7% harboured DEC virulence genes, where EPEC recorded significantly higher prevalence (10.8%) followed by S-ETEC (3.1%), STEC (2.9%), EIEC (2.0%) and L-ETEC (2.0%). Genetic analysis characterized 46.1% of the isolates as ExPEC and only PAI IV536 (33.0%) and PAI IICFT073 (13.1%) were detected. Phylogenetic group B2 was predominantly detected (41.1%), followed by A (30.2%), B1(21.6%), and D (7.1%). Furthermore, 38.6% and 23.1% of the DEC and ExPEC respectively expressed phenotypic resistance. Our results exhibited significant level of CR carriage among the MDR DEC and ExPEC clinical isolates belonging to phylogenetic groups B1 and B2 respectively. Virulence and CR genetic factors are mainly located on mobile elements. Thus, constitutes a great threat to the healthcare system as this promotes horizontal gene transfer.

scholarly journals RegR Virulence Regulon of Rabbit-Specific Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Strain E22

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 1078-1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yogitha N. Srikhanta ◽  
Dianna M. Hocking ◽  
Judyta Praszkier ◽  
Matthew J. Wakefield ◽  
Roy M. Robins-Browne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Coli Strain ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Gene Target ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Genes Encoding

ABSTRACTAraC-like regulators play a key role in the expression of virulence factors in enteric pathogens, such as enteropathogenicEscherichia coli(EPEC), enterotoxigenicE. coli, enteroaggregativeE. coli, andCitrobacter rodentium. Bioinformatic analysis of the genome of rabbit-specific EPEC (REPEC) strain E22 (O103:H2) revealed the presence of a gene encoding an AraC-like regulatory protein, RegR, which shares 71% identity to the global virulence regulator, RegA, ofC. rodentium. Microarray analysis demonstrated that RegR exerts 25- to 400-fold activation on transcription of several genes encoding putative virulence-associated factors, including a fimbrial operon (SEF14), a serine protease, and an autotransporter adhesin. These observations were confirmed by proteomic analysis of secreted and heat-extracted surface-associated proteins. The mechanism of RegR-mediated activation was investigated by using its most highly upregulated gene target,sefA. Transcriptional analyses and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that RegR activates the expression ofsefAby binding to a region upstream of thesefApromoter, thereby relieving gene silencing by the global regulatory protein H-NS. Moreover, RegR was found to contribute significantly to virulence in a rabbit infection experiment. Taken together, our findings indicate that RegR controls the expression of a series of accessory adhesins that significantly enhance the virulence of REPEC strain E22.

Relationship between eae and stx Virulence Genes and Escherichia coli in an Agricultural Watershed: Implications for Irrigation Water Standards and Leafy Green Commodities†

2011 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
DANIEL R. SHELTON ◽  
JEFFREY S. KARNS ◽  
CARY COPPOCK ◽  
JITU PATEL ◽  
MANAN SHARMA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Agricultural Watershed ◽  
Recreational Waters ◽  
Waterborne Pathogen ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Leafy Greens ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
Irrigation Waters

The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) was adopted in an effort to minimize the risk of contamination of leafy greens with enteric pathogens from a variety of sources, including ground and surface irrigation waters. The LGMA contains standards similar to those established for recreational waters, based on Escherichia coli concentrations. However, no correlation between E. coli and any specific waterborne pathogen(s) has been reported. We conducted this monitoring study in an agricultural watershed to (i) evaluate spatial and temporal fluctuations in E. coli populations and virulence genes associated with pathogenic E. coli and (ii) investigate whether a relationship could be established between E. coli and virulence genes. The virulence genes targeted for analysis were the eae and stx genes, encoding for intimin and Shiga-like toxins, respectively; they were detected with PCR methods. E. coli concentrations and eae and stx prevalence varied both spatially and temporally. In general, both were higher in agricultural than in forested areas and were higher in the summer and fall seasons than in winter. The eae and stx genes were prevalent throughout the watershed. However, in the absence of actual isolates, no conclusions could be drawn regarding the prevalence of specific pathogenic E. coli. No correlation was observed between E. coli concentrations and virulence genes; lower E. coli concentrations were not necessarily associated with decreased prevalence of eae and stx genes. These results suggest that the LGMA standards might not adequately address the issue of waterborne contamination, and that alternative criteria might be required.

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