Phenotypic and genotypic comparison of Escherichia coli from pristine tropical waters

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7164790

Bermudez, M; Hazen, T C

Nine fecal-coliform-positive strains were isolated from pristine sites in a tropical rain forest. These sites included nonpolluted rivers and water from bromeliads (epiphytes) which were 30 ft (ca. 910 cm) above the ground. Phenotypically, all of these isolates were identified as Escherichia coli. Their DNA was isolated and purified, and the base composition (G+C content) was determined and compared with that of E. coli B (ATCC 11303). The DNA from the environmental isolates was also hybridized to radiolabeled DNA from E. coli B. Eight strains had a DNA base composition similar to that of E. coli B and gave more than 75% homology with E. coli B. One strain had a different DNA base composition and a relatively low percentage of homology with the reference strain. The finding of E. coli in pristine tropical waters suggest that this bacterium could be a natural inhabitant in these environments and is not a reliable indicator or recent human fecal contamination in tropical waters. The indicators that are currently used in the tropics to test the biological quality of water should be reevaluated.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-76SR00001
• OSTI ID: 7164790
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 54:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ESCHERICHIA COLI
GENOTYPE
PHENOTYPE
WATER POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
DNA
HABITAT
HYBRIDIZATION
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
550200* - Biochemistry
520100 - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)