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P2-149 Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Small-scale Cow/Calf Operations

Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Exhibit Hall (Rhode Island Convention Center)
Myriam Gutierrez, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Divya Jaroni, Southern University Agricultural Research & Extension Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Marlene Janes, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Miguel Gutierrez, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Sarah Kerr, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Morgan Maite, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
Denise Allen, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Introduction: Foodborne illnesses have been associated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 since this organism was first reported in 1982. Several studies have indicated that cattle herds worldwide are the primary reservoirs of E. coli O157:H7. The main sources of E. coli O157:H7 in feedlots are feces, feed bunks, water troughs and incoming water supplies. There is limited information available on the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 at small-scale cow/calf operations.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to establish the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 on small-scale cow/calf operations in the state of Louisiana.

Methods: The study was done between June and December 2011. Samples collected and tested were: fresh fecal matter on the ground, water from troughs and swabs from troughs, salt and hay bunks. For the isolation of the E. coli O157:H7, samples were enriched in TSB, followed by an immunoseparation and the final step was plating on CT-SMAC and CHROMagar®. RT-PCR was used to identify the strain by using the FDA’s BAM methodology and the genes were stx1, stx2, eae, and fliCh7.

Results: A total of 420 fecal samples, 168 water samples and 56 swabs were taken from 27 farms. From which, 9%, 7% and 2% were positive, respectively. This shows that although fecal matter has a higher prevalence, water troughs are a source of E. coli O157:H7 as well. On the contrary, the low percentage of positives for the swabs indicated that surfaces have a minor role in the prevalence of this pathogen in cattle operations.

Significance: These findings can be used to help establishing Best Management Practices and pre-harvest food safety for small-scale cow/calf operations.

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