title: Prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in water sources: an overview on associated diseases, outbreaks and detection methods.
abstract: Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a zoonotic pathogen with its ability to cause human illness ranging from diarrheal disease to fatal hemolytic uremic syndrome. E. coli O157:H7 had been associated with waterborne outbreaks resulting in high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, it is important to investigate the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in water sources especially used for drinking and to develop the diagnostic methods for its early detection. The review describes traditional cultural methods, immunological techniques, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods for detection of this bacterium in water sources. The current PCR-based techniques such as real-time PCR are more specific and sensitive and require less detection time (<3 hours). These methods can be applied for regular water monitoring and proper management of water sources to prevent waterborne diseases due to E. coli O157:H7.
authors.affiliation: Birla Institute of Scientific Research, Statue Circle, Jaipur, 302001, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Tanushree
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, JLN Marg, Jaipur, 302004, Rajasthan, India. Electronic address: drpallavikaushik@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Pallavi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaushik
authors.affiliation: Birla Institute of Scientific Research, Statue Circle, Jaipur, 302001, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Medicherla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krishna Mohan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014871:Water Microbiology; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: Detection methods; Escherichia coli O157:H7; PCR; Waterborne outbreaks