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P2-65 Association between Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli Prevalence and Biosecurity Measures on Diversified California Farms

Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Exhibit Hall (Tampa Convention Center)
Laura Patterson , University of California-Davis, Department of Population Health & Reproduction , Davis , CA
Nora Navarro-Gonzalez , University of California-Davis, Western Center for Food Safety , Davis , CA
Peiman Aminabadi , Western Center for Food Safety, University of California , Davis , CA
Michele Jay-Russell , Western Center for Food Safety, University of California , Davis , CA
Alda Pires , Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California , Davis , CA
Introduction: The increasing popularity of small to medium-sized diversified farms reflects growing consumer interest in sustainable agriculture and locally-produced food. Diversified farms are defined as those farms that integrate livestock and produce or raise multiple livestock species. However, livestock may harbor foodborne pathogens that can cause severe human infection, like Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC).

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the association between biosecurity practices and the prevalence of STEC in livestock raised on diversified farms.

Methods: This study analyzes a subset of 14 farms that were part of a larger year-long cross-sectional study conducted from 2015 to 2016. Cattle, swine, and small ruminant fecal samples (n=503) were cultured for STEC and positive isolates were serogrouped. Each farm completed a survey that included questions regarding livestock health, biosecurity, and management practices. An overall biosecurity score was calculated from the farm survey. Based on the median (32 points), the biosecurity score was divided into high (range 32 to 45) or low (range 20 to 31). Logistic models were used to evaluate the association between a high or low biosecurity score and STEC presence, using generalized linear mixed models with farm as a random effect.

Results: STEC was found in 13.72% (69 of 503) of samples and on 57.14% (8 of 14) of farms. Livestock raised on diversified farms with higher levels of biosecurity were less likely to be STEC positive (odds ratio (OR): 0.19; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.048, 0.76). Other significant factors included raising cattle (OR: 4.06; 95% CI: 1.43, 11.61); farming less than 42 acres (OR: 11.71; 95% CI: 2.43, 56.5); and farming for more than 15 years (OR: 9.97; 95% CI: 1.59, 62.1).

Significance: This study highlighted the need to further investigate potential food safety risks on diversified farms. Identification of strategies to reduce these risks will promote public and livestock health in this emerging agricultural industry.

Back to: Poster Session 2 – Food Chemical Hazards and Food Allergens, Food Toxicology, Meat, Poultry and Eggs, Epidemiology, Retail and Food Service Safety, Communication Outreach and Education, Molecular Analytics, Genomics and Microbiome, Laboratory and Detection Methods, and Dairy
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