Isolation of Laribacter hongkongensis from Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta) in Hangzhou, China.

Aims: Laribacter hongkongensis is well adapted to diverse freshwater environments and is associated with human community-acquired gastroenteritis and traveller’s diarrhoea. The study intended to investigate whether L. hongkongensis could be detected in Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta, a widespread aquatic bird) in Hangzhou, China. Methods and Results:  A total of 176 faecal specimens from three habitats in Hangzhou were obtained for this study. L. hongkongensis was isolated from 12 (6·8%) specimens. Identification of the 12 L. hongkongensis isolates was achieved through a combination of phenotypic characterization and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Conclusions:  The results illustrate that L. hongkongensis is present in the faeces of Little Egrets from three different habitats in Hangzhou, China. Significance and Impact of the Study:  This study suggests the possibility that Little Egrets serve as mechanical carriers of L. hongkongensis, thus potentially transmitting the organism between bodies of water.