scholarly journals Long-Term Sentinel Surveillance for Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli in Minnesota

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlota Medus ◽  
John M. Besser ◽  
Billie A. Juni ◽  
Bonnie Koziol ◽  
Victoria Lappi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sentinel Surveillance ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
E Coli

Abstract Background.  Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) are not detected by conventional culture methods. The prevalence of ETEC infections in the United States is unknown, and recognized cases are primarily associated with foreign travel. Gaps remain in our understanding of STEC epidemiology. Methods.  Two sentinel surveillance sites were enrolled: an urban health maintenance organization laboratory (Laboratory A) and a rural hospital laboratory (Laboratory B). Residual sorbitol MacConkey (SMAC) plates from stool cultures performed at Laboratory A (1996–2006) and Laboratory B (2000–2008) were collected. Colony sweeps from SMAC plates were tested for genes encoding STEC toxins stx1 and stx2 (1996–2008) and ETEC heat-labile and heat-stable toxins eltB, estA 1, 2 and 3 (2000–2008) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays. Results.  In Laboratory A, a bacterial pathogen was identified in 7.0% of 21 970 specimens. During 1996–2006, Campylobacter was the most common bacterial pathogen (2.7% of cultures), followed by Salmonella (1.2%), Shigella (1.0%), and STEC (0.9%). Among STEC (n = 196), O157 was the most common serogroup (31%). During 2000–2006, ETEC (1.9%) was the second most common bacterial pathogen after Campylobacter (2.6%). In Laboratory B, of 19 293 specimens tested, a bacterial pathogen was identified for 5.5%, including Campylobacter (2.1%), STEC (1.3%), Salmonella (1.0%), and ETEC (0.8%). Among STEC (n = 253), O157 was the leading serogroup (35%). Among ETEC cases, 61% traveled internationally. Conclusions.  Enterotoxigenic E. coli and STEC infections were as common as most other enteric bacterial pathogens, and ETEC may be detected more frequently by culture-independent multiplex PCR diagnostic methods. A high proportion of ETEC cases were domestically acquired.

How Does Escherichia coli O157:H7 Testing in Meat Compare with What We Are Seeing Clinically?

2000 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 819-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID W. K. ACHESON
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
The United States ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Current Policy ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Uremic Syndrome

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is but one of a group of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that cause both intestinal disease such as bloody and nonbloody diarrhea and serious complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). While E. coli O157: H7 is the most renowned STEC, over 200 different types of STEC have been documented in meat and animals, at least 60 of which have been linked with human disease. A number of studies have suggested that non-O157 STEC are associated with clinical disease, and non-O157 STEC are present in the food supply. Non-O157 STEC, such as O111 have caused large outbreaks and HUS in the United States and other countries. The current policy in the United States is to examine ground beef for O157:H7 only, but restricting the focus to O157 will miss other important human STEC pathogens.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection in Minnesota, 2016–2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Buuck ◽  
K. Smith ◽  
R. C. Fowler ◽  
E. Cebelinski ◽  
V. Lappi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Stool Culture ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Case Comparison ◽  
Culture Independent ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Escherichia Coli Infection ◽  
Traveller’S Diarrhoea

Abstract Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a well-established cause of traveller's diarrhoea and occasional domestic foodborne illness outbreaks in the USA. Although ETEC are not detected by conventional stool culture methods used in clinical laboratories, syndromic culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs) capable of detecting ETEC have become increasingly prevalent in the last decade. This study describes the epidemiology of ETEC infections reported to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) during 2016–2017. ETEC-positive stool specimens were submitted to MDH to confirm the presence of ETEC DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Cases were interviewed to ascertain illness and exposures. Contemporaneous Salmonella cases were used as a comparison group in a case-case comparison analysis of risk factors. Of 222 ETEC-positive specimens received by MDH, 108 (49%) were concordant by PCR. ETEC was the sixth most frequently reported bacterial enteric pathogen among a subset of CIDT-positive specimens. Sixty-nine (64%) laboratory-confirmed cases had an additional pathogen codetected with ETEC, including enteroaggregative E. coli (n = 40) and enteropathogenic E. coli (n = 39). Although travel is a risk factor for ETEC infection, only 43% of cases travelled internationally, providing evidence for ETEC as an underestimated source of domestically acquired enteric illness in the USA.

Food as a Vehicle for Transmission of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli

2007 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 2426-2449 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARILYN C. ERICKSON ◽  
MICHAEL P. DOYLE
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Cetylpyridinium Chloride ◽  
The United States ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Sodium Chlorite ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Alfalfa Sprouts

Contaminated food continues to be the principal vehicle for transmission of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC) to humans. A large number of foods, including those associated with outbreaks (alfalfa sprouts, fresh produce, beef, and unpasteurized juices), have been the focus of intensive research studies in the past few years (2003 to 2006) to assess the prevalence and identify effective intervention and inactivation treatments for these pathogens. Recent analyses of retail foods in the United States revealed E. coli O157:H7 was present in 1.5% of alfalfa sprouts and 0.17% of ground beef but not in some other foods examined. Differences in virulence patterns (presence of both stx1 and stx2 genes versus one stx gene) have been observed among isolates from beef samples obtained at the processing plant compared with retail outlets. Research has continued to examine survival and growth of STEC in foods, with several models being developed to predict the behavior of the pathogen under a wide range of environmental conditions. In an effort to develop effective strategies to minimize contamination, several influential factors are being addressed, including elucidating the underlying mechanism for attachment and penetration of STEC into foods and determining the role of handling practices and processing operations on cross-contamination between foods. Reports of some alternative nonthermal processing treatments (high pressure, pulsed-electric field, ionizing radiation, UV radiation, and ultrasound) indicate potential for inactivating STEC with minimal alteration to sensory and nutrient characteristics. Antimicrobials (e.g., organic acids, oxidizing agents, cetylpyridinium chloride, bacteriocins, acidified sodium chlorite, natural extracts) have varying degrees of efficacy as preservatives or sanitizing agents on produce, meat, and unpasteurized juices. Multiple-hurdle or sequential intervention treatments have the greatest potential to minimize transmission of STEC in foods.

Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli Infection: U.S. Overview†

1997 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 1466-1471 ◽  
Author(s):  
PHILLIP I. TARR ◽  
THOMAS E. BESSER ◽  
DALE D. HANCOCK ◽  
WILLIAM E. KEENE ◽  
MARCIA GOLDOFT
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Molecular Fingerprinting ◽  
Dna Encoding ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Escherichia Coli Infection ◽  
Toxigenic Strains

Escherichia coli O157:H7 remains a public health problem in the United States despite a dramatic increase in the awareness of, and concern about, foodborne infections since the 1993 multistate E. coli O157:H7 epidemic. Although surveillance data can be difficult to interpret, the incidence of endemic disease caused by this organism is probably not increasing, and might be decreasing, at least in selected populations. With increased recognition of E. coli O157:H7 infection has come the investigation of increasing number of outbreaks, leading to the recognition of many “new” vehicles, including some foods not traditionally associated with enteric infections, such as dry-cured salami and lettuce. Molecular fingerprinting techniques are being used to track the transmission of E. coli O157:H7 through human populations. Analysis of DNA encoding virulence factors and surface antigens suggests that diarrheagenic E. coli have evolved by acquiring large DNA fragments, with subsequent chromosomal recombination. Some Shiga toxin–producing E. coli other than E. coli O157:H7 are no doubt pathogens, but the majority of these toxigenic strains found in food are probably not virulent. More research is needed to define the characteristics that render selected Shiga toxin–producing organisms harmful to humans.

Desiccation and Thermal Resistance of Escherichia coli O121 in Wheat Flour

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (8) ◽  
pp. 1308-1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
QUINCY J. SUEHR ◽  
NATHAN M. ANDERSON ◽  
SUSANNE E. KELLER
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Thermal Resistance ◽  
Wheat Flour ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Salmonella Enteritidis ◽  
Thermal Inactivation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Inactivation Kinetics ◽  
E Coli ◽  
D Values

ABSTRACT Non-O157 Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli infections have recently been associated with wheat flour on two separate accounts in the United States and Canada. However, there is little information regarding the thermal resistance and longevity of non-O157 Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli during storage in low-moisture environments. The objectives of this study were to determine the thermal inactivation kinetics of E. coli O121 in wheat flour and to compare the thermal inactivation rates with those of other pathogens. Wheat flour, inoculated with E. coli O121, was equilibrated at 25°C to a water activity of 0.45 in a humidity-controlled conditioning chamber. Inoculated samples were treated isothermally at 70, 75, and 80°C, and posttreatment population survivor ratios were determined by plate counting. D- and z-values calculated with a log-linear model, were compared with those obtained in other studies. At 70, 75, and 80°C, the D-values for E. coli O121 were 18.16 ± 0.96, 6.47 ± 0.50, and 4.58 ± 0.40 min, respectively, and the z-value was 14.57 ± 2.21°C. Overall, E. coli O121 was observed to be slightly less thermally resistant than what has been previously reported for Salmonella Enteritidis PT30 in wheat flour as measured under the same conditions with the same methods.

scholarly journals Outbreaks of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection in American adults: a clinical and epidemiologic profile

1999 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. B. DALTON ◽  
E. D. MINTZ ◽  
J. G. WELLS ◽  
C. A. BOPP ◽  
R. V. TAUXE
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stool Culture ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Viral Gastroenteritis ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Duration Of Illness ◽  
Escherichia Coli Infection

Because enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is not identified by routine stool culture methods, ETEC outbreaks may go unrecognized, and opportunities for treatment and prevention may be missed. To improve recognition of adult ETEC outbreaks, we compared them with reported outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis. During 1975–95, we identified 14 ETEC outbreaks in the United States and 7 on cruise ships, caused by 17 different serotypes and affecting 5683 persons. Median symptom prevalences were: diarrhoea 99%, abdominal cramps 82%, nausea 49%, fever 22%, vomiting 14%. The median incubation period was 42 h, and for 8 of 10 outbreaks, the mean or median duration of illness was >72 h (range 24–264). For 17 (81%) ETEC outbreaks, but for only 2 (8%) viral outbreaks, the prevalence of diarrhoea was [ges ]2·5 times the prevalence of vomiting. ETEC outbreaks may be differentiated from viral gastroenteritis outbreaks by a diarrhoea-to-vomiting prevalence ratio of [ges ]2·5 and a longer duration of illness.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Genomic Characterization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Cow-Calf Herds throughout California

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay N. Worley ◽  
Kristopher A. Flores ◽  
Xun Yang ◽  
Jennifer A. Chase ◽  
Guojie Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cow Calf

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 is a zoonotic food- and waterborne bacterial pathogen that causes a high hospitalization rate and can cause life-threatening complications. Increasingly, E. coli O157:H7 infections appear to originate from fresh produce. Ruminants, such as cattle, are a prominent reservoir of E. coli O157:H7 in the United States. California is one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the world for fresh produce, beef, and milk. The close proximity of fresh produce and cattle presents food safety challenges on a uniquely large scale. We performed a survey of E. coli O157:H7 on 20 farms in California to observe the regional diversity and prevalence of E. coli O157:H7. Isolates were obtained from enrichment cultures of cow feces. Some farms were sampled on two dates. Genomes from isolates were sequenced to determine their relatedness and pathogenic potential. E. coli O157:H7 was isolated from approximately half of the farms. The point prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 on farms was highly variable, ranging from zero to nearly 90%. Within farms, generally one or a few lineages were found, even when the rate of isolation was high. On farms with high isolation rates, a single clonal lineage accounted for most of the isolates. Farms that were visited months after the first visit might have had the same lineages of E. coli O157:H7. Strains of E. coli O157:H7 may be persistent for months on farms. IMPORTANCE This survey of 20 cow-calf operations from different regions of California provides an in depth look at resident Escherichia coli O157:H7 populations at the molecular level. E. coli O157:H7 is found to have a highly variable prevalence, and with whole-genome sequencing, high prevalences in herds were found to be due to a single lineage shed from multiple cows. Few repeat lineages were found between farms in this area; therefore, we predict that E. coli O157:H7 has significant diversity in this area beyond what is detected in this survey. All isolates from this study were found to have pathogenic potential based on the presence of key virulence gene sequences. This represents a novel insight into pathogen diversity within a single subtype and will inform future attempts to survey regional pathogen populations.

scholarly journals Emergence of a Multidrug-Resistant Shiga Toxin-Producing Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Lineage in Diseased Swine in Japan

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 1074-1081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Kusumoto ◽  
Yuna Hikoda ◽  
Yuki Fujii ◽  
Misato Murata ◽  
Hirotsugu Miyoshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Limited Range ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Shigella Boydii ◽  
High Level

EnterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC) and Shiga toxin-producingE. coli(STEC) are important causes of diarrhea and edema disease in swine. The majority of swine-pathogenicE. colistrains belong to a limited range of O serogroups, including O8, O138, O139, O141, O147, O149, and O157, which are the most frequently reported strains worldwide. However, the circumstances of ETEC and STEC infections in Japan remain unknown; there have been few reports on the prevalence or characterization of swine-pathogenicE. coli. In the present study, we determined the O serogroups of 967E. coliisolates collected between 1991 and 2014 from diseased swine in Japan, and we found that O139, O149, O116, and OSB9 (O serogroup ofShigella boydiitype 9) were the predominant serogroups. We further analyzed these four O serogroups using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing, and virulence factor profiling. Most of the O139 and O149 strains formed serogroup-specific PFGE clusters (clusters I and II, respectively), whereas the O116 and OSB9 strains were grouped together in the same cluster (cluster III). All of the cluster III strains belonged to a single sequence type (ST88) and carried genes encoding both enterotoxin and Shiga toxin. This PFGE cluster III/ST88 lineage exhibited a high level of multidrug resistance (to a median of 10 antimicrobials). Notably, these bacteria were resistant to fluoroquinolones. Thus, this lineage should be considered a significant risk to animal production due to the toxigenicity and antimicrobial resistance of these bacteria.

scholarly journals Escherichia coli O157:H7 and O157:H−Strains That Do Not Produce Shiga Toxin: Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of Isolates Associated with Diarrhea and Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome

1999 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 3491-3496 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Schmidt ◽  
J. Scheef ◽  
H. I. Huppertz ◽  
M. Frosch ◽  
H. Karch
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Plasmid Genes ◽  
Phenotypic And Genetic Characterization

We have isolated one sorbitol-nonfermenting (SNF) Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolate and five sorbitol-fermenting (SF) E. coli O157:H− isolates that do not contain Shiga toxin (Stx) genes (stx). Isolates originated from patients with diarrhea (n = 4) and hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) (n = 2). All isolates harbored a chromosomaleae gene encoding gamma-intimin as well as the plasmid genes E-hly and etp. The E. coliO157:H7 isolate was katP and espP positive. Respective sera obtained from the patient with HUS contained antibodies to the O157 lipopolysaccharide antigen. Thestx-negative E. coli O157:H7 isolate is genetically related to stx-positive SNF E. coliO157:H7. All stx-negative SF E. coliO157:H− isolates belong to the same genetic cluster and are closely related to stx-positive SF E. coliO157:H− isolates. Our data indicate thatstx-negative E. coli O157:H7/H−variants may occur at a low frequency and cannot be recognized by diagnostic methods that target Stx.

Characterization of enterovirulent Escherichia coli isolated from yak calves died of diarrhoea in India

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samiran Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Achintya Mahanti ◽  
Indranil Samanta ◽  
Subhasis Batabyal
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Nalidixic Acid ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Arunachal Pradesh ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Clonal Relationship

Shiga toxin producing (STEC), enteropathogenic (EPEC) and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) were isolated from 29 diarrhoeic yak calves from two districts of Arunachal Pradesh, India (West Kameng and Tawang) during 2005 to 2011. The STEC (28) and EPEC (12) isolates belonged to 25 different O serogroups. Among the 28 STEC isolates, 8 (28.5%) isolates carried only stx1, 10 (35.7%) isolates were positive for both stx1 and stx2, 10 (35.7%) isolates carried only stx2. The stx variants such as stx1c, stx2c, stx2d and stx2e were detected in 7 (25%), 9 (32.1%), 1 (3.5%) and 4 (14.28%) isolates, respectively. Among the 12 EPEC isolates, 2 (4.65%) strains were ‘typical’ possessing bfpA gene. The ehxA and saa genes were present in 19 and 4 isolates, respectively. Among the 14 ETEC isolates, 6 (42.8%), 7 (50%), 5 (35.7%), 5 (35.7%), 7 (50%) and 6 (42.8%) isolates carried genes coding for STa, STb, LT, F5, F41 and EAST1, respectively. The present study detected LT, STb, F41 as the most prevalent type in yaks associated with diarrhoea. Further, the STEC, EPEC and ETEC isolates showed resistance against furazolidone (40%), nitrofurantoin (39%), nalidixic acid (38%), erythromycin (38%), kanamycin (38%), amikacin (37%). The dendrogram revealed clonal relationship among the isolates after RAPD/ERIC analysis. The study could not detect any specific RAPD/ERIC cluster associated with origin, serotypes or virotypes of the isolates. Thus, it was concluded that genetically diverse, multi-drug resistant enterovirulent E. coli were associated with death due to diarrhoea in yak calves in India.

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