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.