Prevalence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes in Non-traditional Irrigation Waters in the Mid-Atlantic United States:  A CONSERVE Project

Handy, Eric; Handy, Eric

Tuesday, July 11, 2017: 2:15 PM

Room 15 (Tampa Convention Center)

Eric Handy , USDA ARS Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory , Beltsville , MD

Cheryl East , USDA ARS Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory , Beltsville , MD

Mary Theresa Callahan , University of Maryland , College Park , MD

Sarah Allard , Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland, School of Public Health , College Park , MD

Hillary Craddock , Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland , College Park , MD

Shirley Micallef , University of Maryland , College Park , MD

Kalmia Kniel , University of Delaware , Newark , DE

Fawzy Hashem , University of Maryland Eastern Shore , Princess Anne , MD

Salina Parveen , University of Maryland Eastern Shore , Princess Anne , MD

Eric May , University of Maryland Eastern Shore , Princess Anne , MD

Joseph Haymaker , University of Maryland Eastern Shore , Princess Anne , MD

Amy Sapkota , Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland, School of Public Health , College Park , MD

Manan Sharma , USDA ARS Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory , Beltsville , MD

Introduction: Surface and nontraditional irrigation water (SNIW) sources can increase the irrigation water supplies without consuming potable water. However, these sources must be evaluated for enteric pathogens that could adulterate crops intended for human consumption and comply with FSMA irrigation water standards.

Purpose: This study evaluated surface (nontidal freshwater (NF), tidal freshwater (TF), pondwater (PW), tidal brackish (TB)) water sources from eight sites in Maryland for the presence of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), and Escherichia coli (Ec).

Methods: SNIW from eight sites (four NF, one TB, one TF, and two PW) were collected by traditional methods or filtered through modified Moore swabs. Sampling occurred on six different dates (September to December, 2016). Filters were quantified for E. coli populations (n=52) through standard methods (EPA 1604); Moore swabs were quantified for Salmonella spp. (n=32); and Lm populations (n=36) through a modified MPN procedure using 10-liter, 1-liter, and 0.1-liter volumes. Chemical parameters of water were measured. Culture-positive results for Salmonella spp. and Lm were confirmed through real-time PCR. One-way ANOVA on recovered pathogen populations in JMP were performed.

Results: Mean Salmonella spp. populations were 0.15+0.30, 0.11+0.10, 0.02+0.14, and 0.007+0.012 MPN/100 ml from NF, TF, TB, and PW sources, respectively. Mean Lm populations were 0.20+0.08, 0.28+0.17, 0.004+0.15, and 0.003+0.10 MPN/100 ml, respectively. Mean Salmonella spp. populations were significantly (P<0.05) higher at one NF site (MD05) compared to other sites. Lm populations at one NF site (MD08) were, also, significantly higher compared to other sites. From all water samples, 65% and 46% were positive for Salmonella spp. and Lm, respectively, and 53% contained Ec populations >126 CFU/100 ml. There were no significant correlations observed between Ec and either Lm or Salmonella spp. populations.

Significance: These data indicated that Salmonella spp. and Lm were present in multiple SNIW sources in Maryland. Year-round sampling is required to truly assess prevalence in this region.

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T7-04 Prevalence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes in Non-traditional Irrigation Waters in the Mid-Atlantic United States: A CONSERVE Project