scholarly journals Nationwide outbreak of STEC O157 infection in the Netherlands, December 2008-January 2009: continuous risk of consuming raw beef products

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Greenland ◽  
C de Jager ◽  
A Heuvelink ◽  
K van der Zwaluw ◽  
M Heck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Outbreak Strain ◽  
Raw Meat ◽  
Beef Products

The Netherlands experienced a nationwide outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 with onset of symptoms from the end of December 2008 until the end of January 2009. A total of 20 laboratory-confirmed cases were linked to the outbreak strain, serotype O157: H-, stx1, stx2, eae and e-hly positive. The investigation into the source of this outbreak is still ongoing, but evidence so far suggests that infection occurred as a result of consuming contaminated raw meat (steak tartare).

Occurrence and Survival of Verocytotoxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 in Meats Obtained from Retail Outlets in The Netherlands

1999 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 1115-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. HEUVELINK ◽  
J. T. M. ZWARTKRUIS-NAHUIS ◽  
R. R. BEUMER ◽  
D E. de BOER
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Storage Period ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Raw Meat ◽  
Pork Products ◽  
Minced Beef ◽  
Beef Products ◽  
Meat Samples

In 1996 and 1997, 2,941 fresh and processed meat products obtained from supermarkets and butcher shops in The Netherlands were examined for the presence of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli of serogroup O157 (O157 VTEC). Additionally, the fate of O157 VTEC in raw meat products stored at low temperatures and the effect of different additives were evaluated. O157 VTEC strains were isolated from 6 (1.1%) of 571 samples of raw minced beef, 2 (0.5%) of 402 samples of raw minced mixed beef and pork, 1 (1.3%) of 76 samples of raw minced pork, 1 (0.3%) of 393 samples of other raw pork products, and 1 (0.3%) of 328 samples of cooked or fermented ready-to-eat meats. Other raw beef products (n = 223) and meat samples originating from poultry (n = 819), sheep or lamb (n = 46), or wild animals (n = 83) were all found to be negative for O157 VTEC. For the survival experiments we used tartaar (minced beef with a fat content of less than 10%) and filet americain (tartaar mixed with a mayonnaise-based sauce [80 to 20%]). The O157 VTEC strain tested was able to survive in tartaar and filet americain stored at −20, 0, 5, or 7°C for 3 days. At both 7 and at 15°C, O157 VTEC counts in tartaar and filet americain remained virtually unchanged throughout a storage period of 5 days. Addition of acetic acid (to pH 4.0), sodium lactate (1 and 2% [wt/wt]), or components of the lactoperoxidase–thiocyanate–hydrogen peroxide system to filet americain did not result in a reduction of viable O157 VTEC cells during storage at 7 or 15°C. It was concluded that raw meat contaminated with O157 VTEC will remain a hazard even if the meat is held at low or freezing temperatures.

scholarly journals An outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 associated with contaminated salad leaves: epidemiological, genomic and food trace back investigations

2017 ◽  
Vol 146 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. W. MIKHAIL ◽  
C. JENKINS ◽  
T. J. DALLMAN ◽  
T. INNS ◽  
A. DOUGLAS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Recent Common Ancestor ◽  
Outbreak Strain ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Trace Back ◽  
Close Phylogenetic Relationship ◽  
Foodborne Outbreaks

SUMMARYIn August 2015, Public Health England detected an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serotype O157:H7 caused by contaminated salad leaves in a mixed leaf prepacked salad product from a national retailer. The implicated leaves were cultivated at five different farms and the zoonotic source of the outbreak strain was not determined. In March 2016, additional isolates from new cases were identified that shared a recent common ancestor with the outbreak strain. A case–case study involving the cases identified in 2016 revealed that ovine exposures were associated with illness (n = 16; AOR 8·24; 95% CI 1·55–39·74). By mapping the recent movement of sheep and lambs across the United Kingdom, epidemiological links were established between the cases reporting ovine exposures. Given the close phylogenetic relationship between the outbreak strain and the isolates from cases with ovine exposures, it is plausible that ovine faeces may have contaminated the salad leaves via untreated irrigation water or run-off from fields nearby. Timely and targeted veterinary and environmental sampling should be considered during foodborne outbreaks of STEC, particularly where ready to eat vegetables and salads are implicated.

scholarly journals Disease burden in The Netherlands due to infections with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157

2004 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. HAVELAAR ◽  
Y. T. H. P. VAN DUYNHOVEN ◽  
M. J. NAUTA ◽  
M. BOUWKNEGT ◽  
A. E. HEUVELINK ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157

Outbreak of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O104:H4 Infection in Germany Causes a Paradigm Shift with Regard to Human Pathogenicity of STEC Strains

2012 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 408-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
LOTHAR BEUTIN ◽  
ANNETT MARTIN
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Outbreak Strain ◽  
Fenugreek Seeds ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Aggregative Adherence ◽  
Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Enterocyte Effacement ◽  
The Way

An outbreak that comprised 3,842 cases of human infections with enteroaggregative hemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EAHEC) O104:H4 occurred in Germany in May 2011. The high proportion of adults affected in this outbreak and the unusually high number of patients that developed hemolytic uremic syndrome makes this outbreak the most dramatic since enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) strains were first identified as agents of human disease. The characteristics of the outbreak strain, the way it spread among humans, and the clinical signs resulting from EAHEC infections have changed the way Shiga toxin–producing E. coli strains are regarded as human pathogens in general. EAHEC O104:H4 is an emerging E. coli pathotype that is endemic in Central Africa and has spread to Europe and Asia. EAHEC strains have evolved from enteroaggregative E. coli by uptake of a Shiga toxin 2a (Stx2a)–encoding bacteriophage. Except for Stx2a, no other EHEC-specific virulence markers including the locus of enterocyte effacement are present in EAHEC strains. EAHEC O104:H4 colonizes humans through aggregative adherence fimbrial pili encoded by the enteroaggregative E. coli plasmid. The aggregative adherence fimbrial colonization mechanism substitutes for the locus of enterocyte effacement functions for bacterial adherence and delivery of Stx2a into the human intestine, resulting clinically in hemolytic uremic syndrome. Humans are the only known natural reservoir known for EAHEC. In contrast, Shiga toxin–producing E. coli and EHEC are associated with animals as natural hosts. Contaminated sprouted fenugreek seeds were suspected as the primary vehicle of transmission of the EAHEC O104:H4 outbreak strain in Germany. During the outbreak, secondary transmission (human to human and human to food) was important. Epidemiological investigations revealed fenugreek seeds as the source of entry of EAHEC O104:H4 into the food chain; however, microbiological analysis of seeds for this pathogen produced negative results. The survival of EAHEC in seeds and the frequency of human carriers of EAHEC should be investigated for a better understanding of EAHEC transmission routes.

scholarly journals Whole-Genome Analysis of a Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O103:H2 Strain Isolated from Cattle Feces

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (45) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujie Zhang ◽  
Yen-Te Liao ◽  
Vivian C. H. Wu
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Whole Genome Sequence ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Whole Genome Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cattle Feces ◽  
Beef Products ◽  
Foodborne Outbreaks ◽  
Enterocyte Effacement

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serotype O103 is one of the primary pathogenic contaminants of beef products, contributing to several foodborne outbreaks in recent years. Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of a STEC O103:H2 strain isolated from cattle feces that contains a locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) pathogenicity island.

Enhanced Laboratory-Based Surveillance of Shiga-Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 in The Netherlands

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 513-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. van Duynhoven ◽  
C. de Jager ◽  
Heuvelink A. ◽  
W. van der Zwaluw ◽  
Maas H. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157

Shiga Toxin Producing Strains of Escherichia coli (STEC) Associated with Beef Products and Its Potential Pathogenic Effect

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iyekhoetin Omoruyi ◽  
Eseosa Uwadiae ◽  
Gospel Mulade ◽  
Ejaromedoghene Omoruku
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Pathogenic Effect ◽  
Beef Products

Prevalence of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli in Beef Cattle

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (10) ◽  
pp. 2224-2241 ◽  
Author(s):  
HUSSEIN S. HUSSEIN ◽  
LAURIE M. BOLLINGER
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Beef Industry ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Cattle Feces ◽  
Beef Products ◽  
Uremic Syndrome

A large number of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains have caused major outbreaks and sporadic cases of human illnesses, including mild diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and the life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome. These illnesses have been traced to both O157 and non-O157 STEC. In a large number of STEC-associated outbreaks, the infections were attributed to consumption of ground beef or other beef products contaminated with cattle feces. Thus, beef cattle are considered reservoirs of STEC and can pose significant health risks to humans. The global nature of the human food supply suggests that safety concerns with beef will continue and the challenges facing the beef industry will increase at the production and processing levels. To be prepared to address these concerns and challenges, it is critical to assess the role of beef cattle in human STEC infections. In this review, published reports on STEC in beef cattle were evaluated to achieve the following specific objectives: (i) assess the prevalence of STEC in beef cattle, and (ii) determine the potential health risks of STEC strains from beef cattle. The latter objective is critically important because many beef STEC isolates are highly virulent. Global testing of beef cattle feces revealed wide ranges of prevalence rates for O157 STEC (i.e., 0.2 to 27.8%) and non-O157 STEC (i.e., 2.1 to 70.1%). Of the 261 STEC serotypes found in beef cattle, 44 cause hemolytic uremic syndrome and 37 cause other illnesses.

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