Browsing by Subject "E. coli O157"
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Item Factors contributing to the presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and O157:NM in feedlots and feedlot cattle.(Texas A&M University, 2004-11-15) Ungkuraphinunt, PaphapitEnvironmental sources within 5 feedlots were sampled for E. coli O157:H7 and O157:NM to determine the prevalence of this pathogen with a view to minimize or control its spread in the feedlot environment. Monthly samples were taken from the feedlots in the Panhandle and South Plains of Texas over a nine-month period. Samples were examined by an immunomagnetic bead separation, followed by plating onto CT-SMAC and CHROMagar O157 media. Sorbitol-negative colonies were tested using ImmunoCard Stat! E. coli O157:H7 Plus and confirmed as E. coli O157:H7, using biochemical (Vitek system) and serological tests (latex agglutination). Additionally, one hundred sponge samples were collected from the hides of stunned cattle at the slaughter plant. All isolates were subjected to rep-PCR DNA fingerprinting and antimicrobial profiling. E. coli O157 was isolated from hide (56%) and environmental samples (4%). E. coli O157 was isolated from all environmental sources, with peak prevalence during November (9%) and March (10%). At least one sample from each feedlot was positive 42% of the time. The most contaminated sites were the chute area (6%) and sludge from waste water ponds (6%). Positive samples were most frequently found from feedlot 5 (7%) and the greatest variation in positive samples between feedlots (0-34%) occurred during March. A decrease in the presence of E. coli O157 in feedlots was observed during January (0%), when ambient, water, and pond sludge temperatures were consistently low. No correlation with other environmental factors was observed. Hide was a primary source of E. coli O157 on carcasses with an overall prevalence of 56%. Of two sampling days, the number of positive hide samples varied from 14% for the first day to 98% for the second day. The total positive samples collected (environmental (47); hide (56)) were 64% H7, and 36% NM. The environmental isolates showed similar antibiotic resistance patterns, regardless of the source. Most E. coli O157 isolates from the feedlots and hides showed a high level of resistance to cephalothin (45%) and sulfisoxazole (56%). E. coli O157 isolates from feedlots were resistant to more than 10 antibiotics (9/317). All of the isolates appeared highly similar, with an average similarity of 53% by rep-PCR DNA fingerprinting.Item Isolation and characterization of potential indicator bacteria to be used for validation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 reduction in beef slaughter plant critical control points(Texas A&M University, 2005-11-01) Magana Yepez, Maria BelemMicrobiological detection of foodborne pathogens is ineffective for monitoring critical control points (CCP) within a slaughter/processing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system. Pathogens are usually absent from carcass surfaces and their uneven distribution makes it difficult to obtain a representative sample. However, microbiological testing can be applied within a HACCP plan to validate and verify the effectiveness of decontamination procedures designed to control hazards. With proper data collection, the reduction of an indicator group at a point in processing can indicate that a specific pathogen is being effectively controlled, especially when pathogen levels are too low to allow confirmation of process control, as they typically are in beef slaughter processing. Since E. coli O157:H7 has been shown to have some acid resistance, the ability of typical indicator organisms to accurately predict the reduction of this pathogen by carcass decontamination procedures has been a concern. Obtaining potential indicator bacteria from the same environmental reservoir as E. coli O157:H7 may provide non-pathogenic indicators with similar heat- and acid-resistance characteristics suitable for use in processing plant environments for validation and verification of carcass decontamination treatments within HACCP plans. Potential indicator bacteria were isolated from hides of cattle at slaughter facilities in Arizona, Georgia, and Texas and compared with isolates of E. coli O157:H7 from the same locations to determine similarity in acid- and heat-resistance characteristics. After evaluation at 2 heating temperatures (55 and 65??C) and 3 pH levels (3.0, 4.0, and 5.0), it was determined that several potential indicator bacteria were slightly more resistant than E. coli O157:H7 to heating and acid treatment. The greatest reduction in numbers for E. coli O157:H7 and indicator bacteria occurred at pH 3.0 and temperature of 65??C. Counts of bacteria grown at pH 4.0 and 5.0 were not significantly different. Testing indicated that several of the isolates from cattle hides would make good process control indicators since the indicator bacteria were reduced by heating or acid conditions at similar or greater rates when compared to E. coli O157:H7, providing an increased level of security that pathogens have been reduced in processing.