Recovery of Escherichia coli in fresh water fish, Jenynsia multidentata and Bryconamericus iheringi

Escherichia coli concentration was determined in digestive tract and muscle of Jenynsia multidentata and Bryconamericus iheringi through bioassays. Field experiments were also conducted with J. multidentata collected in the Suquía River, Córdoba, Argentina. E. coli was quantified by the most probable number, using lauryl sulphate tryptose broth with 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-glucuronide. For bioassays, E. coli concentrations 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 CFU/ml were introduced in aquarium water. E. coli was recovered from the digestive tracts of J. multidentata and B. iheringi in all the concentrations assayed. Bacterial critical load in water for the recovery of bacteria from muscle, was 103 CFU/ml for both species. The regression analysis between E. coli loads in water and those found in digestive tract and muscle showed a positive linear relationship for J. multidentata and B. iheringi. The same relation was observed between the concentration of bacteria in digestive tract and muscle in both species. In field experiments, E. coli was recovered from digestive tract and muscle of J. multidentata. The presence of E. coli in the studied fish suggests that they can carry bacteria to non-polluted waters. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate its significance for public and environmental health.