Verocytotoxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Wild Birds and Rodents in Close Proximity to Farms |
| |
| Authors: | Eva M ller Nielsen, Marianne N. Skov, Jesper J. Madsen, Jens Lodal, J rgen Br chner Jespersen, Dorte L. Baggesen |
| |
| Affiliation: | Eva Møller Nielsen, Marianne N. Skov, Jesper J. Madsen, Jens Lodal, Jørgen Brøchner Jespersen, and Dorte L. Baggesen |
| |
| Abstract: | Wild animals living close to cattle and pig farms (four each) were examined for verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC; also known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli). The prevalence of VTEC among the 260 samples from wild animals was generally low. However, VTEC isolates from a starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and a Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) were identical to cattle isolates from the corresponding farms with respect to serotype, virulence profile, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type. This study shows that wild birds and rodents may become infected from farm animals or vice versa, suggesting a possible role in VTEC transmission. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
