Effect of the thyroid on faecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 and Escherichia coli in naturally infected yearling beef cattle

AIMS: To determine if thyroid function affects faecal shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eight yearling cattle (n = 4 per treatment group), previously identified as shedding E. coli O157:H7, received either 0 or 10 mg 6-N-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) kg(-1) BW day(-1) for 14 days to reduce serum concentrations of the thyroid hormones, T(3) and T(4). Animals were monitored daily for changes in faecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli (EC) for the 14-day treatment period and an additional 7 days post-treatment. Body weight was measured weekly and serum concentrations of T(3) and T(4) were determined every 3 days. No differences in faecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 were observed during the 14-day treatment period. However, compared with control animals, a greater percentage of PTU-treated cattle ejected E. coli O157:H7 on day 16 (100 vs 25%) and 18 (75 vs 0%) of the post-treatment period. Serum T(3) was lower in PTU-treated cattle during the 14-day treatment period and greater on day 18 of the post-treatment period. CONCLUSION: Cattle with chemically altered thyroid hormones had similar shedding patterns of faecal E. coli O157:H7 and EC during the 14-day treatment period. However, faecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 tended to be greater, and serum concentrations of T(3), were greater for PTU-treated cattle immediately following the termination of PTU treatment. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Short-term chemical inhibition of thyroid hormones had minimal effects on faecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 in naturally infected cattle. However, a hyperthyroid state as observed postdosing might play a role in the seasonal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle.