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P3-232 Effect of Management Practices on the Prevalence of Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli on Small-scale Cow/Calf Operations in Oklahoma and Louisiana

Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Hall B (Oregon Convention Center)
Divya Jaroni , Oklahoma State University , Stillwater , OK
Buddhini Jayasundera , Oklahoma State University , Stillwater , OK
Mindy Brashears , Texas Tech University , Lubbock , TX
Todd Brashears , Texas Tech University , Lubbock , TX
Guy Loneragan , Texas Tech University , Lubbock , TX
Ansen Pond , Texas Tech University , Lubbock , TX
Renita Marshall
Introduction: Escherichia coli O157:H7 is considered an adulterant in meat along with the six non-O157 serogroups (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145). Cattle coming into feedlots and slaughter facilities are common reservoirs of these shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC), resulting in post-harvest contamination of beef products. On-farm management practices may affect pathogen-loads on cattle entering slaughter facilities. However, little is known about the impact of practices employed at cow/calf operations on the prevalence of STEC.

Purpose: Determine the effect of management practices employed by small-scale cow/calf operations on the prevalence of STEC.

Methods: Fecal, water, sediments, and equipment-swab samples were collected from several cow-calf operations in Oklahoma and Louisiana during summer and fall, over a 2-year period. Each farm was visited twice each year. Presence of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, 145) was determined using immuno-magnetic-separation and RT-PCR. A questionnaire on feed-type, water-source, cattle-breed, herd-density and farm-cleanliness was obtained to assess management practices. Data was analyzed using ANCOVA, followed by Tukey-test for water-source, feed, and breed-types and regression analysis for correlation between herd-density and STEC prevalence.

Results: A 5% and 22% of E. coli O157:H7 and 53% and 49% of non-O157 prevalence was observed in Oklahoma and Louisiana, respectively. Serogroups O26, O45, and O103 were most prevalent in both states. In Louisiana, use of municipal-water over well-water increased non-O157 prevalence whereas a combination of water-sources (streams and runoff) in Oklahoma increased prevalence of all STECs (P < 0.05). Hay-feeding increased prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 (14.5%) and O26 (31.4%) in Oklahoma and Louisiana, respectively. Commercial-feed increased prevalence of O145 (30%) in Louisiana. Positive correlation (P < 0.05) between herd-density and prevalence of O45 and O103 was observed in Oklahoma.

Significance: Results can be used to establish guidelines for best management practices and for development of risk management strategies.

Back to: Poster Session 3 – Laboratory and Detection Methods, Sanitation; Antimicrobials; Produce; Epidemiology
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