In regard to the importance of potential causes of infection and transmission routes the survival of two enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains was investigated under different environmental conditions. EHEC strains survived for up to 430/210 days on wood, 20/6 days on glass, 47/25 days in river water, 177/>283 days in autoclaved river water and >423/>423 days in autoclaved soil held at room temperature (20°C). Another non Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli strain, isolated from river water, survived for a comparable period of days, whereas an Escherichia coli laboratory strain (ATCC 11775) declined more rapidly under the same conditions. To investigate the role of aquatic birds in the dispersal of EHEC, 186 stool samples from wild aquatic birds, such as ducks, geese, swans and gulls, were analysed for EHEC. We did not isolate EHEC in any of the bird stools, wich were examined. These last results indicate that wild aquatic birds represent no significant cause of EHEC infection for bathing water in this country.
«
In regard to the importance of potential causes of infection and transmission routes the survival of two enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains was investigated under different environmental conditions. EHEC strains survived for up to 430/210 days on wood, 20/6 days on glass, 47/25 days in river water, 177/>283 days in autoclaved river water and >423/>423 days in autoclaved soil held at room temperature (20°C). Another non Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli strain, isolated from r...
»