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Research Project: Monitoring and Molecular Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance in Foodborne Bacteria

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Title: The prevalence and antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of Salmonella, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus sp. in surface water

Author
item CHO, SOHYUN - University Of Georgia
item Jackson, Charlene
item Frye, Jonathan

Submitted to: Letters in Applied Microbiology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/13/2020
Publication Date: 4/18/2020
Citation: Cho, S., Jackson, C.R., Frye, J.G. 2020. The prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus sp. in surface water. Letters in Applied Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.13301.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.13301

Interpretive Summary: Surface water, often used for drinking, irrigation, and recreational activities, is prone to bacterial contamination as it receives wastes and pollutants from human and animal sources. Contaminated surface water may also expose local populations to health risks. Hence, pathogens and other microbial pollutants should be monitored in surface water and controlled in order to minimize the spread of diseases and to protect public health. However, most research has focused on humans and animals, and less attention has been given to the environment. Furthermore, antimicrobial resistance in natural watersheds are not well investigated and their impact on human health and food safety are not well understood. Therefore, this review provides an overview on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AR) of Salmonella, E. coli, and Enterococcus, found in natural freshwaters. These bacteria are frequently detected in surface waters, sometimes as etiological agents of waterborne infections, and AR strains are not uncommon in both developed and developing countries. As surface water is a receptacle for both pathogenic and AR bacteria from human and animal sources and a vehicle for their dissemination, this is a crucial data-gap in understanding AR and minimizing its spread.

Technical Abstract: Surface water is prone to bacterial contamination as it receives wastes and pollutants from human and animal sources, and contaminated water may expose local populations to health risks. This review article provides a brief overview on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AR) of Salmonella, E. coli, and Enterococcus, found in natural freshwaters. These bacteria are frequently detected in surface waters, sometimes as etiological agents of waterborne infections, and AR strains are not uncommonly identified in both developed and developing countries. Data relating to Salmonella, E. coli, and Enterococcus present in environmental water are lacking. To understand their development and dissemination using the One health approach, it is important to understand the prevalence, distribution, and characteristics of the bacteria present in surface water as well as their potential sources. Furthermore, AR bacteria in natural watersheds are not well investigated and their impact on human health and food safety are not well understood. As surface water is a receptacle for AR bacteria from human and animal sources and a vehicle for their dissemination, this is a crucial data-gap in understanding AR and minimizing its spread. Salmonella, E. coli, and Enterococcus were chosen as the sentinel organisms for AR monitoring in surface water.