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P2-50 Identification of Contamination Sources and Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on Small-scale Cow/Calf Operations in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana

Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Exhibit Hall (Charlotte Convention Center)
Divya Jaroni, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Keith Sullivan, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Mindy M. Brashears, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Todd Brashears, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Guy H. Loneragan, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Chris Richards, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Ansen Pond, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Mark Miller, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Introduction: Cattle are common reservoirs for pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. On-farm practices can affect pathogen loads on cattle entering slaughter facilities. Most studies have concentrated on larger feedlots and ranches, with limited information on small-scale cow/calf operations. Understanding the factors affecting pathogen burden in these operations can be critical in developing risk management strategies along the farm-to-fork continuum.

Purpose: To determine contamination sources and the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on small-scale cow/calf operations in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.

Methods: Studies were conducted in the states of Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana during the summer and fall season over a period of two years. Fecal samples for Salmonella and fecal, water, sediments and trough-swab samples for detection of E. coli O157:H7 were collected from a total of 60 cow/calf farms in the three states. For E. coli O157:H7, samples were enriched in GNVCC or TSB, followed by immunomagnetic separation, plated on CT-SMAC and CHROMagar® and isolates confirmed using RT-PCR (stx1, stx2, eae, fliC, and rfb genes). For Salmonella, samples were enriched in RV and TT broth, plated on XLT-4 and confirmed by agglutination test.

Results: Of the 1,515 fecal, 238 water, 240 sediments, and 146 trough-swab samples collected, 11%, 15%, 7% and 3% were positive for E. coli O157:H7, respectively. Of the 610 fecal samples, 11.3% were positive for Salmonella. Cattle feces and water were the two major sources of contamination for E. coli O157:H7 followed by sediment samples. On the other hand, trough-swabs played a minor role in the prevalence of this pathogen in cattle operations. Fecal samples were also found to be a major source for Salmonella in the cow/calf operations.

Significance: These findings can be used for targeted educational and research efforts in the development of risk management strategies.

Back to: Poster Session 2 - Pathogens, Antimicrobials
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