Clonal turnover of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 in experimentally infected cattle

A total of 401 enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 isolates from two experimentally infected calves were analyzed using molecular biological methods. Genetic differences detected by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were observed between the inoculated and recovered strains as early as 1 day post inoculation. The loss of the inoculated clone was observed in one calf. Replication and dissemination of the EHEC O157:H7 strains that mutated in cattle may result in the diversification of this organism among cattle populations.     

Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 and O157:H7-infecting bacteriophages in feedlot cattle feces

AIM: To estimate the distribution and prevalence of both Escherichia coli O157 and O157:H7-infecting bacteriophages within a 50,000 head commercial beef feedlot. METHODS AND RESULTS: Escherichia coli O157 was detected in approximately 27% of the individual samples, distributed across seven of the 10 pens screened. In a simple initial screen to detect O157:H7-infecting phages, none were detected in any pen or individual sample. In contrast, after a series of enrichment procedures O157:H7-infecting phages were detected in every pen and in the majority of the samples from most pens; virulent bacteriophages active against E. coli O157:H7 were detected post-enrichment from 39/60 (65%) of the feedlot samples, and 58/60 (approximately 97%) contained phage that infected E. coli B or O157:H7. CONCLUSIONS: The data we present here indicates that we may be grossly underestimating the prevalence of O157:H7-infecting phages in livestock if we simply screen samples and that enrichment screening is required to truly determine the presence of phages in these ecosystems. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our data suggest that O157:H7-infecting phages may play a role in the ecology and transient colonization of cattle by E. coli O157:H7. Further, this and previous data suggest that before starting in vivo pathogen eradication studies using phage or any other regime, test animals should be enrichment screened for phage to avoid erroneous results.     

Escherichia coli O157:H7 induces attaching-effacing lesions in large intestinal mucosal explants from adult cattle

Attaching-effacing (A/E) lesions following natural and experimental infection with Escherichia coli O157:H7 have been seen in neonatal and 3-4-month-old weanling but not older cattle. To test the hypothesis that the adult bovine large intestinal epithelium is resistant to the development of A/E lesions, colonic and rectal mucosal tissue explants from 18-month-old steers were inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and examined. Epithelial cells of inoculated explants developed A/E lesions at the bacterial attachment sites, providing evidence that the large intestinal mucosal epithelium may be a site of infection that contributes to carriage of E. coli O157:H7 in adult cattle.     

Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium in cow manure and cow manure slurry

An exponential linear destruction was observed for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium in cattle manure and manure slurry stored at 4, 20 or 37 degrees C. The resulting decimal reduction times ranged from 6 days to 3 weeks in manure and from 2 days to 5 weeks in manure slurry. The main effects of time as well as temperature were pronounced with the most rapid destruction at 37 degrees C. The ammonia concentration in manure increased slightly during storage but did not exceed 0.1%. pH values in the deeper layers of manure remained constant except at 37 degrees C when the pH increased by 1 unit in 60 days. In the surface layers of manure, pH increased by 1.5-2 units, the oxidation-reduction potential of the manure declined rapidly to values below -200 mV. These changes do not seem to be reflected in changing rates of bacterial destruction. The observed order of destruction makes it possible to predict storage conditions (temperature and time) that will lead to a predetermined level of reduction of the two pathogens.     

Effect of supplementing corn- or barley-based feedlot diets with canola oil on faecal shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by steers

AIMS: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing barley- or corn-based diets with canola oil on faecal shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by experimentally inoculated feedlot cattle. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four groups of yearling steers fed on barley- or corn-based feedlot diets containing 0% (BA; CO) or 6% canola oil (BA-O; CO-O) were inoculated with 10(10) CFU of a mixture of four nalidixic acid-resistant strains of E. coli O157:H7. The inoculated strains were tracked in oral (mouth swab) and environmental (water, water bowl interface, feed, faecal pat) samples by enrichment and immunomagnetic separation (IMS) for 12 weeks, and in rectally collected faecal samples for 23 weeks (enumeration by dilution plating for 12 weeks; detection by IMS for a further 11 weeks). Levels of E. coli O157:H7 shed in faecal samples over the course of the enumeration period were similar (P = 0.14) among treatments. Disappearance of the inoculated strains from faeces was more rapid (P = 0.009) with barley than with corn, but shedding levels at the end of the enumeration period were similar (P = 0.21) across grain types. Canola oil supplementation did not affect (P = 0.71) the rate of disappearance of E. coli O157:H7 from faeces. The numbers of steers culture positive for E. coli O157:H7 during the enumeration period were similar (P = 0.57) among treatments. During the 11-week detection period, however, more (P < 0.001) steers were E. coli O157:H7-positive in the BA group (15/64) than in BA-O (two of 64), CO (two of 56), or CO-O (one of 56). The organism was present in two of 48 water samples (both CO-O), one of 48 water bowl swabs (BA-O), four of 48 feed samples (two of 12 BA; two of 12 CO-O), 30 of 48 pen floor faecal pat samples, and 296 of 540 mouth swabs (81/144 BA, 80/144 BA-O, 74/126 CO and 61/126 CO-O). CONCLUSION: Supplementing corn or barley-based diets with canola oil did not affect shedding of E. coli O157:H7 by feedlot cattle. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: High-shedding individuals (i.e. 'super shedders') may be responsible for disseminating E. coli O157:H7 among penmates. Faeces on pen floors appears to be a more significant source of infection than are feed or drinking water.     

Escherichia coli O157:H7 colonization in small domestic ruminants

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 was first implicated in human disease in the early 1980s, with ruminants cited as the primary reservoirs. Preliminary studies indicated cattle to be the sole source of E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks in humans; however, further epidemiological studies soon demonstrated that E. coli O157:H7 was widespread in other food sources and that a number of transmission routes existed. More recently, small domestic ruminants (sheep and goats) have emerged as important sources of E. coli O157:H7 human infection, particularly with the widespread popularity of petting farms and the increased use of sheep and goat food products, including unpasteurized cheeses. Although the colonization and persistence characteristics of E. coli O157:H7 in the bovine host have been studied intensively, this is not the case for small ruminants. Despite many similarities to the bovine host, the pathobiology of E. coli O157:H7 in small domestic ruminants does appear to differ significantly from that described in cattle. This review aims to critically review the current knowledge regarding colonization and persistence of E. coli O157:H7 in small domestic ruminants, including comparisons with the bovine host where appropriate.     

肉类中大肠杆菌O157:H7多重PCR检测方法的建立

以编码大肠杆菌 O157 抗原的 rfbE 基因、编码 H7 抗原的 fliC 基因以及编码毒力因子的eaeA 基因为靶基因,选择3对引物,建立并优化了检测大肠杆菌 O157:H7 的多重 PCR 体系,扩增产物分别为291 bp、625 bp,368 bp,采用30株细菌验证了该多重 PCR 具有特异性.PCR 检测的灵敏度在 DNA 水平上达到91.35 Pg;在存在干扰菌鼠伤寒沙门氏(Salmonella typhimurium)的情况下,当起始污染量为1.4 CFU/mL时,37℃培养6 h即可检出.在30份肉类样品中,有3份检出了大肠杆菌 O157:H7.本研究建立的多重 PCR 方法可特异、灵敏地实现对大肠杆菌 O157:H7 的检测.     

肉类中大肠杆菌O157:H7多重PCR检测方法的建立

以编码大肠杆菌O157抗原的rfbE基因、 编码H7抗原的fliC基因以及编码毒力因子的eaeA基因为靶基因, 选择3对引物, 建立并优化了检测大肠杆菌O157:H7的多重PCR体系, 扩增产物分别为291 bp、625 bp、368 bp, 采用30株细菌验证了该多重PCR具有特异性。PCR检测的灵敏度在DNA水平上达到91.35 pg; 在存在干扰菌鼠伤寒沙门氏菌(Salmonella?typhimurium)的情况下, 当起始污染量为1.4 CFU/mL时, 37 ℃培养6 h 即可检出。在30份肉类样品中, 有3份检出了大肠杆菌O157:H7。本研究建立的多重PCR方法可特异、灵敏地实现对大肠杆菌O157:H7的检测。     

Fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 during the manufacture of Mozzarella cheese

AIMS: The fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was investigated during the manufacture of Mozzarella cheese. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Mozzarella cheese was made from unpasteurized milk which was inoculated to contain ca 10(5) cfu ml(-1)E. coli O157:H7. Two different heating temperatures (70 and 80 degrees C), commonly used during curd stretching, were investigated to determine their effects on the viability of E. coli O157:H7 in Mozzarella cheese. Stretching at 80 degrees C for 5 min resulted in the loss of culturability of E. coli O157:H7 strains, whereas stretching at 70 degrees C reduced the number of culturable E. coli O157:H7 by a factor of 10. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that stretching curd at 80 degrees C for 5 min is effective in controlling E. coli O157:H7 during the production of Mozzarella cheese. Brining and storage at 4 degrees C for 12 h was less effective than the stretching. Significance and Impact of the Study: Mozzarella cheese should be free of E. coli O157:H7 only if temperatures higher than or equal to 80 degrees C are used during milk processing.     

大肠杆菌O157:H7核酸探针检测方法的建立

目的：应用核酸探针方法快速检测大肠杆菌O157：H7。方法：通过使用吖啶酯标记的特异DNA探针方法检测大肠杆菌O157：H7,对此种方法的特异性、敏感性、准确性进行研究,比较该方法与传统国标法的检测结果。结果：核酸探针方法检测大肠杆菌O157：H7特异性以及敏感性强,检出大肠杆菌O157：H7菌液浓度最低限约为106cfu/ml,检测大肠杆菌O157：H7的结果与国标法相一致;对O157：H7鉴定时间仅需30min,简便快捷。结论：核酸探针方法可用于大肠杆菌O157：H7的快速检测。     

Isolation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from dung beetles Catharsius molossus

In an epidemiological survey, Escherichia coli O157:H7 was isolated from the intestine 4 of 113 dung beetle Catharsius molossus captured below ground at Tongshan County, Jiangsu Province of China. In parallel, 10 strains of E. coli O157:H7 were isolated from fecal samples of 383 diarrhea patients from the same region. Most importantly, using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of chromosomal DNA restriction fragments and PCR method, we found that the PFGE pattern and virulence genes of beetle isolates were identical to those of the human isolates, such as Shiga-toxins (stx) and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli hemolysin A (EHEC-hlyA). Therefore, dung beetle might acquire pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 through contact with feces of domestic animals.     

Direct PCR detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7

AIMS: This paper reports a simple, rapid approach for the detection of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Direct PCR (DPCR) obviates the need for the recovery of cells from the sample or DNA extraction prior to PCR. Primers specific for Stx-encoding genes stx1 and stx2 were used in DPCR for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 added to environmental water samples and milk. CONCLUSIONS: PCR reactions containing one cell yielded a DPCR product. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This should provide an improved method to assess contamination of environmental and other samples by STEC and other pathogens.     

Sequence analysis of Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteriophage ΦV10 and identification of a phage-encoded immunity protein that modifies the O157 antigen

Bacteriophage ΦV10 is a temperate phage, which specifically infects Escherichia coli O157:H7. The nucleotide sequence of the ΦV10 genome is 39 104 bp long and contains 55 predicted genes. ΦV10 is closely related to two previously sequenced phages, the Salmonella enterica serovar Anatum (Group E1) phage ɛ15 and a prophage from E. coli APEC O1. The attachment site of ΦV10, like those of its two closest relatives, overlaps the 3' end of guaA in the host chromosome. ΦV10 encodes an O -acetyltransferase, which modifies the O157 antigen. This modification is sufficient to block ΦV10 superinfection, indicating that the O157 antigen is most likely the ΦV10 receptor.     

Attachment and biofilm formation on stainless steel by Escherichia coli O157:H7 as affected by curli production

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the role of curli in attachment and biofilm formation by Escherichia coli O157:H7 on stainless steel. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three curli-deficient strains (43895-, 43894- and E0018-) and three curli over-producing strains (43895+, 43894+ and E0018+) of E. coli O157:H7 were studied. Stainless steel coupons (SSC) were immersed in cell suspensions of each strain for 24 h at 4 degrees C. The number of cells attached to SSC was determined. To determine the ability of attached cells to form biofilm, SSC were immersed in 10% of tryptic soya broth up to 6 days at 22 degrees C. Curli-deficient and curli-producing strains did not differ in their ability to attach to SSC, but only curli-producing strains formed biofilms. CONCLUSIONS: Curli production by E. coli O157:H7 does not affect attachment of cells on stainless steel but curli-producing strains are better able to form biofilms. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Curli production by E. coli O157:H7 enhances its ability to form biofilm on stainless steel, thereby potentially resulting in increased difficulty in removing or killing cells by routine cleaning and sanitizing procedures used in food-processing plants.     

可视化抗体阵列快速联合检测大肠杆菌O157:H7和鼠伤寒沙门氏菌

【目的】建立一种同时快速检测大肠杆菌O157:H7(E.coli O157:H7)和鼠伤寒沙门氏菌(Salmonella typhimurium)的可视化抗体阵列技术。【方法】将免疫学技术与蛋白芯片技术相结合,基于双抗体夹心法检测原理利用蛋白质芯片技术的高通量,结合可视化结果判定技术,用一份样品,同步检测大肠杆菌O157:H7和鼠伤寒沙门氏菌两种病原。【结果】检测结果肉眼可见,检测周期短至90 min,纯菌液检测灵敏度达105 CFU/mL,模拟带菌检测灵敏度为106 CFU/mL,与常规的ELISA灵敏度等同且具有良好的特异性和重复性。【结论】该可视化抗体阵列检测结果肉眼可见,检测通量高,无需大型设备,操作简便,检测成本低廉,同时为快速检测致病菌提供一种新途径。     

Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in wastewater from dairy lagoons

AIM: To determine the survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in dairy wastewater from on-site holding lagoons equipped with or without circulating aerators. METHODS AND RESULTS: Survival was monitored in dairy lagoon microcosms equipped with or without scale-size circulators. Both laboratory strains of E. coli O157:H7 and an isolate of E. coli H7 from wastewater had poor survival rates and none proliferated in water from waste lagoons with or without circulators. Furthermore, the decline of E. coli O157:H7 was not enhanced in those microcosms equipped with circulators. Strain variation in survival was observed in both circulated and settling waters. The decline rate of E. coli O157:H7 Odwalla strain increased proportionately with the inoculum load. Escherichia coli failed to establish itself in wastewater even after four sequential inoculations simulating continuous faecal input into the lagoon. The native aerobic bacteria survived longer with a decimal reduction time of 21.3 days vs either introduced or native E. coli, which declined rapidly with decimal reduction time of 0.5-9.4 days. CONCLUSIONS: Escherichia coli O157:H7 failed to establish and proliferate in dairy wastewater microcosms equipped with or without circulating aerators. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study furthers our knowledge of pathogen survival in wastewater, and suggests that proper management of wastewater before its use in irrigation is essential to reduce pathogen transfer to crops.     

The coexistence of Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 and its specific bacteriophage in continuous culture

For the development of phage therapy, systematic understanding mechanisms of bacteriophage resistance will be required. We describe a new strain of Escherichia coli O157:H7, named Mu(L), which stably co-exists with the O157:H7-specific lytic bacteriophage PP01. Chemostat cultures of E. coli O157:H7 infected with PP01 showed unchanging cell concentration, but phage concentrations which increased by approximately 10(8) PFU mL(-1). However, the latent period, burst size, and growth rate of Mu(L) were the same as in a PP01-susceptible strain. The binding rate of PP01 to the cell surface was diminished 8.5-fold in Mu(L). By observation of the binding of fluorescently labeled O157:H7-specific phage to individual Mu(L) cells, we found that clonal Mu(L) cultures were heterogeneous in their ability to bind bacteriophage. 15% of the Mu(L) population was completely resistant to PP01 infection. Mu(L) also co-existed with bacteriophages unrelated to PP01. Broad-range phage resistance by clonal heterogeneity represents a new class of bacteria-phage interactions.     

Earthworms as vectors of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in soil and vermicomposts

Survival and movement of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in both soil and vermicompost is of concern with regards to human health. Whilst it is accepted that E. coli O157:H7 can persist for considerable periods in soils, it is not expected to survive thermophilic composting processes. However, the natural behavior of earthworms is increasingly utilized for composting (vermicomposting), and the extent to which earthworms promote the survival and dispersal of the bacterium within such systems is unknown. The faecal material produced by earthworms provides a ready supply of labile organic substrates to surrounding microbes within soil and compost, thus promoting microbial activity. Earthworms can also cause significant movement of organisms through the channels they form. Survival and dispersal of E. coli O157:H7 were monitored in contaminated soil and farmyard manure subjected to earthworm digestion over 21 days. Our findings lead to the conclusion that anecic earthworms such as Lumbricus terrestris may significantly aid vertical movement of E. coli O157 in soil, whereas epigeic earthworms such as Dendrobaena veneta significantly aid lateral movement within compost. Although the presence of earthworms in soil and compost may aid proliferation of E. coli O157 in early stages of contamination, long-term persistence of the pathogen appears to be unaffected.