Open AccessSurvival of Escherichia coli 0157 in a soil protozoan: implications for disease
Author(s) -
Barker John,
Humphrey Tom J,
Brown Michael W.R
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1999.tb13516.x
Subject(s) - microcosm , acanthamoeba , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , virulence , biocide , escherichia coli , protozoa , bacteria , pathogen , ecology , chemistry , biochemistry , genetics , organic chemistry , gene
Intra‐protozoal growth of bacterial pathogens has been associated with increased environmental survival, virulence and resistance to biocides and antibiotics. Using laboratory microcosms we have shown that Escherichia coli 0157 survives and replicates in a common environmental protozoan, Acanthamoeba polyphaga . As protozoa are widely distributed in soils and effluents, they may constitute an important environmental reservoir for transmission of E. coli 0157 and other pathogens.