Enterococci may not present the pollution of most enteric pathogenic bacteria in recreational seawaters of Xinghai bathing Beach, China

Abstract Many un-developed countries select fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) based on the recommendation of the U.S. EPA, or WHO criteria. To prove its applicability in China, FIB, human markers, and 15 typical bacterial pathogens were assessed using both culture dependent and independent methods (PCR, gene chip, and quantitative PCR) in Xinghai bathing beach of China. In most cases, enterococcus can indicate the pollution phenomenon of the main pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas caviae and Streptococcus faecalis), while only correlated with human Bacteroides and Staphylococcus aureus, which all suggested that the use of enterococci may not accurately assess the risk of most enteric pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, periodic surveying of human specific Bacteroides is strongly recommended, the monitoring of the most prevalent enteric pathogen, Aeromonas caviae, and the autochthonous pathogen, Vibrio parahaemolyticus should also be taken into consideration in the routine monitoring to protect bathers health.