Host-specific bacteroides markers-based microbial source tracking in aquaculture areas

Hye Young Ko, Kyuseon Cho, Sungjun Park, Jin Hwi Kim, Joo Hyon Kang, Yong Seok Jeong, Jong Duck Choi, Yongsik Sin, Cheonghoon Lee, Gwang Pyo Ko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Various waterborne pathogens originate from human or animal feces and may cause severe gastroenteric outbreaks. Bacteroides spp. that exhibit strong host-or group-specificities are promising markers for identifying fecal sources and their origins. In the present study, 240 water samples were collected from two major aquaculture areas in Republic of Korea over a period of approximately 1 year, and the concentrations and occurrences of four host-specific Bacteroides markers (human, poultry, pig, and ruminant) were evaluated in the study areas. Host-specific Bacteroides markers were detected widely in the study areas, among which the poultry-specific Bacteroides marker was detected at the highest concentration (1.0–1.2 log10 copies L–1). During the sampling period, high concentrations of host-specific Bacteroides markers were detected between September and December 2015. The host-specific Bacteroides marker-combined geospatial map revealed the up-to-downstream gradient of fecal contamination, as well as the effects of land-use patterns on host-specific Bacteroides marker concentrations. In contrast to traditional bacterial indicators, the human-specific Bacteroides marker correlated with human specific pathogens, such as noroviruses (r=0.337; P<0.001). The present results indicate that host-specific Bacteroides genetic markers with an advanced geospatial analysis are useful for tracking fecal sources and associated pathogens in aquaculture areas.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)151-161
Number of pages11
JournalMicrobes and Environments
Volume33
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018

Keywords

  • Fecal contamination
  • Geographic information system
  • Host-specific bacteroides markers
  • Microbial source tracking
  • Noroviruses

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