Animal- and Truckload-Level Associations between Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Feces and on Hides at Harvest and Contamination of Preevisceration Beef Carcasses†

Cattle feces and hides contribute to carcass contamination with Escherichia coli O157:H7, ultimately impacting beef safety. Primary objectives of our cross-sectional study were to evaluate associations among fecal, hide, and preevisceration carcass prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and to assess factors affecting carcass contamination. Fecal, hide, and preevisceration carcass samples were collected from up to 32 cattle on each of 45 truckloads presented to a midwestern U.S. abattoir. Enrichment and selective culture were used to assess fecal, hide, and carcass prevalence, and direct plating was used to identify cattle shedding high levels of E. coli O157:H7 in feces. Fecal, hide, and carcass prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 within truckload were significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with each other. Enriched fecal sample prevalence was 13.8%, and high shedder prevalence was 3.3%; 38.5% of hides and 10.5% of carcasses were positive for E. coli O157:H7. We used logistic regression to assess animal- and truckload-level variables affecting the probability of carcasses testing positive for E. coli O157:H7. All truckload-level predictors significantly affected the probability of an E. coli O157:H7–positive carcass, including presence of a high shedder within the truckload (odds ratio [OR] = 4.0; confidence interval [CI], 1.6 to 10.1), high (>25%) within-truckload fecal prevalence (OR = 19.3; CI, 4.7 to 79.0), and high (>50%) within-truckload hide prevalence (OR = 7.7; CI, 3.1 to 19.6). The only significant animal-level predictor was having a positive hide (OR = 1.6; CI, 1.0 to 2.6). Our results suggest that preharvest interventions for reducing E. coli O157:H7 contamination of carcasses should focus on truckload (cohort)–level and hide mitigation strategies.

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Associations between the Presence and Magnitude of Escherichia coli O157 in Feces at Harvest and Contamination of Preintervention Beef Carcasses†

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-71.9.1761 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 71 (9) ◽

pp. 1761-1767 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

J. T. FOX ◽

D. G. RENTER ◽

M. W. SANDERSON ◽

A. L. NUTSCH ◽

X. SHI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Rank Order ◽

Immunomagnetic Separation ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Escherichia Coli O157 ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Midwest United States ◽

E Coli ◽

Beef Carcasses ◽

Carcass Contamination

To quantify associations at slaughter between Escherichia coli O157 carcass contamination, fecal-positive animals, and high-shedding animals within truckloads of finished cattle, we sampled up to 32 cattle from each of 50 truckloads arriving at a commercial abattoir in the Midwest United States during a 5-week summer period. Carcass swab samples collected preevisceration and fecal samples collected postevisceration were matched within animals and analyzed for the presence of E. coli O157, using enrichment, immunomagnetic separation, and plating on selective media (IMS). In addition, a direct plating procedure was performed on feces to identify high-shedding animals. E. coli O157 was isolated from 39 (2.6%) of 1,503 carcass samples in 15 (30%) truckloads, and 127 (8.5%) of 1,495 fecal samples in 37 (74%) truckloads. Fifty-five (3.7%) high-shedding animals were detected from 26 (52%) truckloads. Truckload high-shedder (Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient [rs] = 0.68), IMS-positive (rs = 0.48), and combined fecal (rs =0.61) prevalence were significantly correlated with carcass prevalence. The probability of isolating E. coli O157 from a carcass was not significantly associated with the high-shedder or fecal IMS status of the animal from which the carcass was derived. However, the probability of carcass contamination was significantly associated with all truckload-level measures of fecal E. coli O157, particularly whether or not a high shedder was present within the truckload (odds ratio = 16.2; 95% confidence interval, 6.3–43.6). Our results suggest that high shedders within a truckload at slaughter could be a target for mitigation strategies to reduce the probability of preevisceration carcass contamination.

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Local characteristics associated with higher prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in community-acquired urinary tract infections: an observational, cross-sectional study

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy ◽

10.1093/jac/dkaa514 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Stéphanie Larramendy ◽

Aurélie Gaultier ◽

Jean-Pascal Fournier ◽

Jocelyne Caillon ◽

Leïla Moret ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Urine Samples ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

E Coli ◽

Animal Farming ◽

Tract Infections

Abstract Objectives The prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E. coli) in community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI) has been increasing worldwide since 2000, but with large geographical variations. The aim of this study was to determine whether the ESBL-E. coli rate in urine samples from individuals with community-acquired UTI was associated with the local socio-economic, environmental, agricultural and healthcare characteristics. Methods This was a cross-sectional study in western France using data on antibiotic susceptibility of E. coli isolated from urine samples of individuals with community-acquired UTI analysed in non-hospital laboratories from 2015 to 2017. The ESBL-E. coli rate was calculated for each laboratory. Data on socio-economic characteristics, human antibiotic consumption, hospital bed density, animal farming density and percentage of agricultural land and surface water were retrieved at the municipality level and aggregated by study area. Their association with ESBL-E. coli prevalence was quantified using multivariate linear regression models with a backward selection. Results From 358 291 E. coli isolates from urine samples tested in 92 laboratories, the mean ESBL-E. coli prevalence for the study period was 3.30%. In an adjusted model, the ESBL-E. coli rate was significantly (P < 0.05) and positively associated with the local percentage of people >65 years old, third-generation cephalosporin use (DDD/1000 inhabitants), number of hospital beds/km2, poultry density, pig density and percentage of agricultural land. Lower deprivation was associated with a higher ESBL-E. coli rate. Conclusions Several anthropogenic factors (primary care, hospitals and animal farming) are associated with the local ESBL-E. coli rate in community-acquired UTI. These results could contribute to improve risk management, including identification of at-risk patient groups.

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Absence of Direct Association between Coliforms and Escherichia coli in Irrigation Water and on Produce

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-12-512 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 76 (6) ◽

pp. 959-966 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

GAYEON WON ◽

PAMELA J. SCHLEGEL ◽

JENNIFER M. SCHROCK ◽

JEFFREY T. LeJEUNE

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Water Quality ◽

Irrigation Water ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Microbial Quality ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Data Set ◽

E Coli ◽

The Cross

Irrigation water is considered a potential source of preharvest pathogen contamination of vegetables. Hence, several organizations have recommended microbiological standards for water used to irrigate edible plants. The purpose of this study was to determine the strength of association between microbial quality indicators (coliforms and Escherichia coli) in irrigation water and on irrigated vegetables. Data analyzed included original results from a cross-sectional study conducted in the Midwestern United States during summer 2009 and information presented in two previously published studies performed in France and Portugal to investigate microbial quality of irrigation water and watered produce. In the cross-sectional study, repetitive PCR (rep-PCR) was used to characterize genetic relatedness of E. coli isolates from water and vegetables. No significant correlations were found between fecal indicators on leafy greens (lettuce and parsley, n = 91) or fruit (tomatoes and green peppers, n = 22) and those found in irrigation water used in the cross-sectional study (P > 0.40) or in the previously published data sets (data set 1: lettuce and waste irrigation water, n = 15, P > 0.40; data set 2: lettuce and irrigation water, n = 32, P = 0.06). Rep-PCR banding patterns of E. coli strains were all distinguishable among the pairs of E. coli isolates recovered from produce and irrigation water on the same farm. From the available data, the concentration of indicator organisms based on a single measure of irrigation water quality was not associated with the presence of these indicators on produce. In the absence of additional information, the use of a single microbial water quality parameter as an indicator of produce safety is of limited value for predicting the safety of the produce.

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Risk of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Non-O157 Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter spp. in Food Animals and Their Products in Qatar

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-14-596 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 78 (10) ◽

pp. 1812-1818 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

HUSSNI O. MOHAMMED ◽

KORANA STIPETIC ◽

AHMED SALEM ◽

PATRICK McDONOUGH ◽

YUNG FU CHANG ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Shiga Toxin ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Campylobacter Coli ◽

Escherichia Coli O157 ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

E Coli ◽

Cattle Feces ◽

Campylobacter Spp

Escherichia coli O157:H7, non-O157 E. coli, and Campylobacter spp. are among the top-ranked pathogens that threaten the safety of food supply systems around the world. The associated risks and predisposing factors were investigated in a dynamic animal population using a repeat-cross-sectional study design. Animal and environmental samples were collected from dairy and camel farms, chicken processing plants, and abattoirs and analyzed for the presence of these pathogens using a combination of bacterial enrichment and real-time PCR tests without culture confirmation. Data on putative risk factors were also collected and analyzed. E. coli O157:H7 was detected by PCR at higher levels in sheep and camel feces than in cattle feces (odds ratios [OR], 6.8 and 21.1, respectively). Although the genes indicating E. coli O157:H7 were detected at a relatively higher rate (4.3%) in fecal samples from dairy cattle, they were less common in milk and udder swabs from the same animals (1 and 2%, respectively). Among the food adulterants, E. coli O103 was more common in cattle fecal samples, whereas O26 was more common in sheep feces and O45 in camel feces compared with cattle (OR, 2.6 and 3.1, respectively). The occurrence of E. coli in the targeted populations differed by the type of sample and season of the year. Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli were more common in sheep and camel feces than in cattle feces. Most of the survey and surveillance of E. coli focused on serogroup O157 as a potential foodborne hazard; however, based on the PCR results, non-O157 Shiga toxin–producing E. coli serotypes appeared to be more common, and efforts should be made to include them in food safety programs.

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Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance and Characteristics of Escherichia coli Isolates From Fecal and Manure Pit Samples on Dairy Farms in the Province of Québec, Canada

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.654125 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan Massé ◽

Hélène Lardé ◽

John M. Fairbrother ◽

Jean-Philippe Roy ◽

David Francoz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Passive Surveillance ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

E Coli ◽

Extended Spectrum ◽

High Prevalence

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an important burden for public health and veterinary medicine. For Québec (Canada) dairy farms, the prevalence of AMR is mostly described using passive surveillance, which may be misleading. In addition, the presence of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)/AmpC producing Escherichia coli is unknown. This observational cross-sectional study used random dairy farms (n = 101) to investigate AMR and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)/AmpC producing Escherichia coli. Twenty antimicrobials were tested on E. coli isolates (n = 593) recovered from fecal samples (n = 599) from calves, cows, and the manure pit. Isolates were mostly susceptible (3% AMR or less) to the highest priority critically important antimicrobials in humans. The highest levels of AMR were to tetracycline (26%), sulfisozaxole (23%) and streptomycin (19%). The resistance genes responsible for these resistances were, respectively: tet(A), tet(B), sul1, sul2, sul3, aph(3”)-Ib (strA), aph(6)-Id (strB), aadA1, aadA2, and aadA5. ESBL analysis revealed two predominant phenotypes: AmpC (51%) and ESBL (46%) where blaCMY−2 and blaCTX−M(blaCTX−M−1, blaCTX−M−15, and blaCTX−M−55) were the genes responsible for these phenotypes, respectively. During this study, 85% of farms had at least one ESBL/AmpC producing E. coli. Isolates from calves were more frequently resistant than those from cows or manure pits. Although prevalence of AMR was low for critically important antimicrobials, there was a high prevalence of ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli on Quebec dairy farms, particularly in calves. Those data will help determine a baseline for AMR to evaluate impact of initiatives aimed at reducing AMR.

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Determining the Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 in Cattle and Beef from the Feedlot to the Cooler

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-69.12.2824 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 69 (12) ◽

pp. 2824-2827 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

D. R. WOERNER ◽

J. R. RANSOM ◽

J. N. SOFOS ◽

G. A. DEWELL ◽

G. C. SMITH ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Fecal Sample ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Escherichia Coli O157 ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

E Coli ◽

Beef Carcasses ◽

Before And After ◽

Pathogen Prevalence

Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 on cattle entering the slaughter floor may range from 10 to >70%. This study was conducted to determine the effect of E. coli O157 prevalence in fecal pats collected from feedlot pen floors on subsequent E. coli O157 prevalence on carcasses at various points in the slaughter process. Fecal pats from the feedlot pen floor were collected within 3 days before slaughter. During cattle processing at the slaughter facility, additional samples were collected from the hide, from the colon, and from the carcasses before and after evisceration and after final decontamination. Of 15 lots (a group of cattle from the same pen from a feedlot) sampled, 87% had at least one positive fecal pat from the feedlot floor, 47% had a positive hide sample, 73% had a positive colon/fecal sample, and 47% had a positive carcass sample preevisceration; however, only 8% of lots had a positive carcass sample postevisceration or after final intervention. Of the total samples tested (n = 1,328), 24.7, 14.7, 27.6, 10.1, 1.4, and 0.3% of fecal pats from the feedlot floor, hide, colon, preevisceration, post-evisceration, and final intervention samples, respectively, were positive for E. coli O157. Pens with greater than 20% positive fecal pats from the feedlot floor had 25.5% hide, 51.4% colon, and 14.3, 2.9, and 0.7% carcass samples positive at preevisceration, at postevisceration, and after final intervention, respectively. However, fecal pats from feedlot floor samples that contained less than 20% positive fecal samples showed lower pathogen prevalence, with 5.0% hide, 7.5% colon, and 6.3, 0, and 0% carcass positive samples at preevisceration, postevisceration, and post–final intervention, respectively. Data from this study can be used as part of risk assessment processes in order to identify mitigation strategies to minimize prevalence of E. coli O157 on fresh beef carcasses.

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