Fate of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli from Faecal Sources in Surface Water and Probability of Human Exposure through Swimming.
The goal of this study was to determine the fate of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) emitted from faecal sources in surface water, and the probability of human exposure through swimming. Concentrations of ESBL-EC were measured in recreational waters and in source waters, being water in ditches surrounding poultry farms and municipal wastewater. Additionally, the potential of ESBL-EC in source waters to reach recreational waters located downstream of these sources was modeled. Modeled ESBL-EC concentrations in recreational waters appeared to be mostly determined by the concentrations in the source waters and by subsequent dilution in surface water, and less by inactivation. The mean (95%) risk of human exposure to ESBL-EC per person per swimming event, as assessed from measured ESBL-EC concentrations in recreational waters, was 0.16 (0.89) for men, 0.13 (0.72) for women and 0.20 (0.95) for children. Similar exposure risks were estimated for hypothetical recreational waters containing 100- or 1000-times diluted source water, located 10 days water travel time downstream of the sources. Human exposure to ESBL-EC through swimming is likely, if recreational waters are located downstream of poultry farms and municipal wastewater discharge points.
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.|Utrecht University , Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Hydrogeology, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Jack F
JF
Schijven
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Hetty
H
Blaak
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Franciska M
FM
Schets
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.|Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences , 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Ana Maria
AM
de Roda Husman
D000818:Animals; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008372:Manure / Q000382:microbiology; D009426:Netherlands; D011200:Poultry / Q000382:microbiology; D011336:Probability; D011998:Recreation; D013550:Swimming; D062065:Wastewater / Q000382:microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism*
D008372:Manure; D062065:Wastewater; D001618:beta-Lactamases