Associations between management, climate, and Escherichia coli O157 in the faeces of feedlot cattle in the Midwestern USA

Sargeant, Jan M.; Sanderson, Michael W.; Smith, Robert A.; Griffin, Dicky D.

doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2004.09.007

Cited by 34 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Significant seasonal effect on the occurrence of non-O157 STEC or stx genes has also been observed in some studies (37,93). An increase in pathogenic E. coli prevalence in the warmer months was also documented in feedlot cattle herds (37,(94)(95)(96)(97)(98). Based on the analysis of data from this 7-to 9-year longitudinal study, no consistent seasonality was observed across farms, while a significant interaction effect between seasons and years was present.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Dynamics of Escherichia coli Virulence Factors in Dairy Herds and Farm Environments in a Longitudinal Study in the United States

Lambertini

Karns

Kessel

et al. 2015

Appl Environ Microbiol

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g Pathogenic Escherichia coli or its associated virulence factors have been frequently detected in dairy cow manure, milk, and dairy farm environments. However, it is unclear what the long-term dynamics of E. coli virulence factors are and which farm compartments act as reservoirs. This study assessed the occurrence and dynamics of four E. coli virulence factors (eae, stx 1 , stx 2 , and the gamma allele of the tir gene [␥-tir]) on three U.S. dairy farms. Fecal, manure, water, feed, milk, and milk filter samples were collected from 2004 to 2012. Virulence factors were measured by postenrichment quantitative PCR (qPCR). All factors were detected in most compartments on all farms. Fecal and manure samples showed the highest prevalence, up to 53% for stx and 21% for ␥-tir in fecal samples and up to 84% for stx and 44% for ␥-tir in manure. Prevalence was low in milk (up to 1.9% for stx and 0.7% for ␥-tir). However, 35% of milk filters were positive for stx and 20% were positive for ␥-tir. All factors were detected in feed and water. Factor prevalence and levels, expressed as qPCR cycle threshold categories, fluctuated significantly over time, with no clear seasonal signal independent from year-to-year variability. Levels were correlated between fecal and manure samples, and in some cases autocorrelated, but not between manure and milk filters. Shiga toxins were nearly ubiquitous, and 10 to 18% of the lactating cows were potential shedders of E. coli O157 at least once during their time in the herds. E. coli virulence factors appear to persist in many areas of the farms and therefore contribute to transmission dynamics. Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolates of several pathovars of public health importance, such as enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Shiga-toxigenic E. coli (STEC), and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), have been observed in dairy herds (1-3) as well as in milk (4-10) and other dairy products (4-8, 11, 12). Beef cattle are also known to harbor pathogenic E. coli (13-16). Dairy animals also enter the meat production chain, contributing to meatborne infections (17). Infection by these classes of pathogenic E. coli can have serious health impacts in humans (8). The cost of human health losses in the United States due to E. coli O157 alone was estimated to amount to $405 million per year (18). Numerous E. coli outbreaks have been linked to the consumption of milk and dairy products (19)(20)(21)(22) and to direct contact with dairy farm animals and environments (23, 24). Milk contamination is usually due to fecal contamination. Intestinal colonization by STEC serogroups such as E. coli O157 is usually subclinical in cows and calves and therefore is often undetected. STEC and EHEC have almost never been associated with nonenteric infections in cows, such as mastitis, although other classes of pathogenic E. coli have been known to cause mastitis (25).A virulence factor is a phenotypic trait, usually a large molecule or complex, which determines the ability of E. coli and other bacterial pathogens to infect a h...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Dynamics of Escherichia coli Virulence Factors in Dairy Herds and Farm Environments in a Longitudinal Study in the United States

Lambertini

Karns

Kessel

et al. 2015

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…Therefore, diffuse pollution from agricultural runoff may also be considered to represent faecal contamination of surface waters. As reported by Sargeant et al (2004), animals such as cattle contribute not only to direct faecal water pollution (droppings of excreta), but also to indirect contamination by facilitating the transmission of E. coli, as cattle movements raise bacteria surviving in the soil to the surface enabling their runoff. Although Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Changes in Microbial Quality of Irrigation Water Under Different Weather Conditions in Southeast Norway

2014

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A short-term study concerning the impact of weather fluctuations in Southeast Norway on microbiological quality of irrigation water sources was performed. The weather variations were related to a relatively dry and warm period followed by rainfall events associated with lower air temperatures. Samples of water from a ground well, a pond and a stream, all used for sprinkler irrigation of fruit and vegetable crops, were investigated for contamination with faecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli -E. coli) and intestinal parasitic protozoa (Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts). Although the groundwater was not contaminated with these microbes during either period, contamination was detected in surface waters, with concentrations up to three times higher during the wet/cool period than during the dry/warm period. An increase in microbial concentrations was observed immediately after the first rainfall events. These results demonstrate that surface waters commonly used for irrigation in Southeast Norway are vulnerable to contamination with microbes and this is related to weather fluctuations. These outcomes are of relevance when considering the impact of predicted climate change and contamination of agricultural water supplies.

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“…The range of water pH observed in the study was from 6.6 to 9.7 (mean, 7.37, and median, 7.4). Decreased coliform levels in alkaline water samples suggest that maintaining a higher pH may help control coliform levels, but no relationship has been identified between water pH and the presence of E. coli O157 in water or cattle feces (22,26).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Feed was collected and cultured as part of a cross-sectional survey on management associations with E. coli O157 in feedlots (22,23,24), and the sensitivity of detection of E. coli O157 in feed samples (6). Feed E. coli O157 culture results were only obtained on a subsample of the data reported here (504 pens, 54 feedlots).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated with the Presence of Coliforms in the Feed and Water of Feedlot Cattle

Sanderson

Sargeant

Renter

et al. 2005

Appl Environ Microbiol

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The objective of this study was to investigate coliform counts in feedlot cattle water and feed rations and their associations with management, climate, fecal material, and water Escherichia coli O157 using a cross-sectional study design. Coliform counts were performed on feed samples from 671 pens on 70 feedlots and on water samples from 702 pens on 72 feedlots in four U.S. states collected between May and August 2001. Management and climate factors were obtained by survey and observation. Month of sampling (higher in May and June), presence of corn silage in the ration (negative association), temperature of the feed 1 in. (ca. 2.5 cm) below the surface at the time of sampling (negative association), and wind velocity at the time of sampling (positive association) were significantly associated with log 10 coliform levels in feed. Month of sampling (lower in May versus June July and August), water pH (negative association), and water total solids (positive association) were significantly associated with log 10 water coliform levels. Coliform counts in feed and water were not associated with prevalence of E. coli O157 in cattle feces or water. Management risk factors must be interpreted with caution but the results reported here do not support the use of coliform counts as a marker for E. coli O157 contamination of feed or water.Coliform bacteria, including Escherichia spp., Klebsiella spp., and Enterobacter spp., are considered to be an indicator of fecal contamination in feed and water. As such they may be an indicator of contamination of feed and water with fecally transmitted food-borne disease agents such as E. coli O157 and Salmonella spp. The epidemiology and ecology of Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157 suggest fecal contamination of feed or water may be a possible source of exposure to cattle on farm (5, 6, 29). On-farm control efforts have received considerable attention and disease modeling suggests that decreased shedding in feces could decrease beef contamination with E. coli O157 (14). If feed and water are a significant source of exposure for cattle to potential food-borne pathogens, on-farm control efforts to decrease fecal prevalence will need to account for feed and water contamination through a feed and water safety and security program.Salmonellae have been commonly found in feed, but until recently Escherichia coli O157 had only been found rarely in cattle feed (5,9,11,12,25). E. coli O157 has been shown experimentally to survive and even replicate in moistened feed at room temperature, and replication of generic fecal E. coli has also been demonstrated in livestock feeds (17). Escherichia coli O157 have recently been detected in significant numbers of feed samples in a study to assess the effects of culture techniques on isolation of E. coli O157 from feed (6). E. coli O157 has been commonly found in water sources, including tanks and ponds, and free-flowing streams (7,11,16,21). In an experimental water microcosm model, E. coli O157 survived for at least 245 days (15).We hypothesized that if ...

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Associations between management, climate, and Escherichia coli O157 in the faeces of feedlot cattle in the Midwestern USA

Cited by 34 publications

References 24 publications

Dynamics of Escherichia coli Virulence Factors in Dairy Herds and Farm Environments in a Longitudinal Study in the United States

Dynamics of Escherichia coli Virulence Factors in Dairy Herds and Farm Environments in a Longitudinal Study in the United States

Changes in Microbial Quality of Irrigation Water Under Different Weather Conditions in Southeast Norway

Factors Associated with the Presence of Coliforms in the Feed and Water of Feedlot Cattle

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