Determining the pathogenicity of bacteria present in wetland waters and crow feces in Bothell

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.20174103378384

Abstract

This study will determine the pathogenicity of bacteria isolated from the wetland waters and crows feces within the UW Bothell campus. This emanated from the need to determine whether the American crow (Corvus brachyrhyncos) has a role in the epidemiology of diarrheal disease along with its significant con-tribution to the high level of fecal coliforms in the stream water that runs through the crow roosting area. Modified from previous studies, we developed protocols to culture Escherichia coli and Campylobacter, both are known to be pathogenic and present in crow feces, to isolate DNA from cultures or samples, and to perform PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)/qPCR (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) to detect virulence genes. We found that the virulence genes eae and rfb that are necessary to cause diarrhea were absent in a representative number of E. coli strains isolated from the water samples and the fecal samples. The virulence genes flaA and cad in the Campylobacter species were detected in fecal samples (77.8% and 73%, respectively) and in water samples (75% each). In conclusion, our hypothesis could not be verified, but our results suggest that the Campylobacter isolated from wetland water and crow feces are potentially pathogenic. However, the results are not conclusive and more sample and virulence genes specific to ex-traintestinal pathogenic E. coli, need to be screened in order to accurately assess the pathogenicity of these bacteria.