title: Detection of verotoxin producing Escherichia coli in marine environments of the Caribbean.
abstract: The goal of this study was to determine the potential for Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EHEC) contamination in tropical marine waters. Samples were collected from urban, suburban, and rural sites around the islands of Puerto Rico and The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Quantification of E. coli and EHEC was evaluated using MI plates and qPCR. EHEC was detected in six sites in Puerto Rico: West of La Parguera Town, Boquilla, Oro Creek, Fishers Association, Joyuda Lagoon, and Boqueron Wetland Creek and in two rural sites in Trinidad: Balandra Bay and Quinam Bay. Plate count enumeration of E. coli was not a reliable indicator for the presence of EHEC. The sites where EHEC was detected on both islands are used for recreational bathing, water sports and recreational/commercial fisheries and therefore pose a public potential health risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Campus Box 81, Milledgeville, GA 31061-0490, USA.
authors.forename: Trisha J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bachoon
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Otero
authors.forename: Adesh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramsubhag
mesh_terms: D017691:Caribbean Region; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology; D054323:Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014876:Water Pollution
keywords: Caribbean; Contamination; Escherichia coli; Marine; Puerto-Rico; Trinidad