Premium
Interactions between Escherichia coli and the plant‐parasitic nematode Meloidogyne javanica
Author(s) -
Maghodia A.B.,
Spiegel Y.,
Sela S.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2008.03945.x
Subject(s) - meloidogyne javanica , nematode , biology , escherichia coli , microbiology and biotechnology , enterobacteriaceae , ecology , genetics , gene
Aims: To determine the potential of the plant‐parasitic nematode Meloidogyne javanica to serve as a temporary reservoir for Escherichia coli . Methods and Results: The adhesion to and persistence of E. coli on the surface of M. javanica were evaluated at different times and temperatures. A pure culture of green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged E. coli was mixed with ca. 1000 J2 M. javanica for 2 h at 25°C. The nematodes were then washed and the rate of the adhesion of the bacteria to the nematodes was determined by counting the viable nematode‐associated E. coli , and by fluorescence microscopy. A dose‐dependent adhesion rate was observed only at a bacterium to nematode ratio of 10 4 –10 6 : 1. The adhesion of E. coli to the nematodes was also tested over a 24 h‐period at 4°C, 25°C and 37°C. At 4°C and 37°C, maximal adhesion was observed at 5 h; whereas at 25°C, maximal adherence was observed at 8 h. Survival experiments showed that the bacteria could be detected on the nematodes for up to 2 weeks when incubated at 4°C and 25°C, but not at 37°C. Conclusions: Under laboratory conditions, at 4°C and 25°C, M. javanica could serve as a temporary vector for E. coli for up to 2 weeks. Significance and Impact of the Study: These findings support the hypothesis that, in the presence of high concentrations of E. coli , M. javanica might serve as a potential vehicle for the transmission of food‐borne pathogens.