Source tracking of Enterococcus moraviensis and E. haemoperoxidus

“Enterococci were detected occasionally in 100 L samples of water abstracted from a shallow aquifer
in a natural dune infiltration area for drinking water production. E. moraviensis was the species most
frequently identified in these samples. Because there are no existing reports of faecal sources of
E. moraviensis and the closely related E. hemoperoxidus, this study aimed to find such sources of
these two species in the dunes. Faecal samples from various animal species living in the vicinity of
abstraction wells, were analysed for enterococci on Slanetz and Bartley Agar. From these samples,
enterococci isolates (1,386 in total) were subsequently identified using MALDI-TOF mass
spectrometry. E. moraviensis was found in the faeces of geese, foxes and rabbits. Also,
E. haemoperoxidus was isolated from goose faeces. Using hierarchical clustering, the species
composition of Enterococcus spp. isolated from abstracted water formed one cluster with the
species composition found in geese droppings. A sanitary survey supported the indication that feral
geese may provide a substantial faecal load in particular parts of this dune infiltration area, close to
the water abstraction system. This study confirms the faecal origin of E. moraviensis and E.
haemoperoxidus from specific animals, which strengthens their significance as faecal indicators.”

(Citaat: Taucer-Kapteijn, M., Hoogenboezem, W., Hoogenboezem, R., de Haas, S.,Medema, G.J. – Source tracking of Enterococcus moraviensis and E. haemoperoxidus – Journal of Water and Health 15(2017)1, p.41-49 – doi: 10.2166/wh.2016.209 – Open Access)