An Investigation of Calf Carcass Contamination by Escherichia coli from the Gut Contents at Slaughter |
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Authors: | KATHERINE HOWE A H LINTON A D OSBORNE |
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Institution: | Department of Bacteriology, The Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, England;School of Veterinary Medicine, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DU, England |
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Abstract: | The degree of carcass contamination at slaughter of three groups of calves (a total of 36 animals) was studied and the O-antigen types of Escherichia coli found on the carcass surface and in rectal contents were determined. In one-third of the animals E. coli strains found on the surface of a carcass belonged to the same O-serotype as those found in the rectal sample of the same calf. Nearly all the O-serotypes found on the carcasses were also found in the rectal contents of at least one calf, showing that cross-contamination of carcasses had occurred. The E. coli isolated from the rectal contents were all resistant to at least one antibacterial agent. |
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