title: Molecular detection of Campylobacter spp. and fecal indicator bacteria during the northern migration of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) at the central Platte River.
abstract: The risk to human health of the annual sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) migration through Nebraska, which is thought to be a major source of fecal pollution of the central Platte River, is unknown. To better understand potential risks, the presence of Campylobacter species and three fecal indicator bacterial groups (Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli, and Bacteroidetes) was assayed by PCR from crane excreta and water samples collected during their stopover at the Platte River, Nebraska, in 2010. Genus-specific PCR assays and sequence analyses identified Campylobacter jejuni as the predominant Campylobacter species in sandhill crane excreta. Campylobacter spp. were detected in 48% of crane excreta, 24% of water samples, and 11% of sediment samples. The estimated densities of Enterococcus spp. were highest in excreta samples (mean, 4.6 × 10(8) cell equivalents [CE]/g), while water samples contained higher levels of Bacteroidetes (mean, 5.1 × 10(5) CE/100 ml). Enterococcus spp., E. coli, and Campylobacter spp. were significantly increased in river water and sediments during the crane migration period, with Enterococcus sp. densities (~3.3 × 10(5) CE/g) 2 to 4 orders of magnitude higher than those of Bacteroidetes (4.9 × 10(3) CE/g), E. coli (2.2 × 10(3) CE/g), and Campylobacter spp. (37 CE/g). Sequencing data for the 16S rRNA gene and Campylobacter species-specific PCR assays indicated that C. jejuni was the major Campylobacter species present in water, sediments, and crane excreta. Overall, migration appeared to result in a significant, but temporary, change in water quality in spring, when there may be a C. jejuni health hazard associated with water and crops visited by the migrating birds.
authors.affiliation: Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA. lu.jingrang@epa.gov
authors.forename: Jingrang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Hodon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santo Domingo
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Ashbolt
mesh_terms: D025041:Animal Migration; D000818:Animals; D041963:Bacteroidetes / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D001717:Birds; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000235:genetics*; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009329:Nebraska / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D011157:Population Dynamics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000662:veterinary; D012988:Soil Microbiology / Q000592:standards; D014871:Water Microbiology / Q000592:standards; D060753:Water Quality / Q000592:standards