title: Intestinal Escherichia coli colonization in a mallard duck population over four consecutive winter seasons.
abstract: We report the population structure and dynamics of one Escherichia coli population of wild mallard ducks in their natural environment over four winter seasons, following the characterization of 100 isolates each consecutive season. Macro-restriction analysis was used to define isolates variously as multi- or 1-year pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) types. Isolates were characterized genotypically based on virulence-associated genes (VAGs), phylogenetic markers, and phenotypically based on haemolytic activity, antimicrobial resistance, adhesion to epithelial cells, microcin production, motility and carbohydrate metabolism. Only 12 out of 220 PFGE types were detectable over more than one winter, and classified as multi-year PFGE types. There was a dramatic change of PFGE types within two winter seasons. Nevertheless, the genetic pool (VAGs) and antimicrobial resistance pattern remained remarkably stable. The high diversity and dynamics of this E. coli population were also demonstrated by the occurrence of PFGE subtypes and differences between isolates of one PFGE type (based on VAGs, antimicrobial resistance and adhesion rates). Multi- and 1-year PFGE types differed in antimicrobial resistance, VAGs and adhesion. Other parameters were not prominent colonization factors. In conclusion, the high diversity, dynamics and stable genetic pool of an E. coli population seem to enable their successful colonization of host animal population over time.
authors: Fakultät für Naturwissenschaften, Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus - Senftenberg, Großenhainer Str. 57, 01968, Senftenberg, Germany.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Rödiger
authors: Fakultät für Naturwissenschaften, Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus - Senftenberg, Großenhainer Str. 57, 01968, Senftenberg, Germany.
authors: Toni
authors: T
authors: Kramer
authors: Fakultät für Naturwissenschaften, Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus - Senftenberg, Großenhainer Str. 57, 01968, Senftenberg, Germany.
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Frömmel
authors: Fakultät für Naturwissenschaften, Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus - Senftenberg, Großenhainer Str. 57, 01968, Senftenberg, Germany.
authors: Jörg
authors: J
authors: Weinreich
authors: Fakultät für Naturwissenschaften, Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus - Senftenberg, Großenhainer Str. 57, 01968, Senftenberg, Germany.|GA Generic Assays GmbH, Ludwig-Erhard-Ring 3, 15827, Dahlewitz, Germany.
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: Roggenbuck
authors: Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Guenther
authors: Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Schaufler
authors: Fakultät für Naturwissenschaften, Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus - Senftenberg, Großenhainer Str. 57, 01968, Senftenberg, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Schröder
authors: Fakultät für Naturwissenschaften, Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus - Senftenberg, Großenhainer Str. 57, 01968, Senftenberg, Germany.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Schierack
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004372:Ducks / Q000382:microbiology*; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005858:Germany; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010802:Phylogeny; D011153:Population; D012621:Seasons; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics