Pathogenic Escherichia coli and One Health Implications

Abstract

Escherichia coli are common inhabitants in the intestinal tracts of warm blooded animals where they generally cause no harm to the host, although there are some types of E. coli which are able to cause disease. The most significant of these are enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) which can cause severe human disease that can result in death. EHEC have an animal reservoir, particularly cattle, and are considered to be an important zoonotic pathogen having significant impact for One Health. EHEC can be transmitted from animals into humans, either from consumption of foods made from these animals, or from contact with foods which may have become contaminated directly or indirectly from animal wastes. Increasingly, EHEC have also been associated with uncooked leafy green vegetables and sprouts. Several large outbreaks of E. coli have highlighted the importance for addressing these organisms in a One Health perspective.

C-source metabolic profilings of foodborne Shiga-toxin producing E . coli match serogroup differentiations and highlight functional adaptations

“…This carriage explains that most human infections have been related to the consumption of contaminated food of bovine origin such as ground beef, raw milk and related products such as cheese (Feng, 2014). Direct contact with healthy animal carriers and exposure to contaminated environments such as soils, runoff waters, bathing waters and crops could also explain some sporadic cases and outbreaks (Fegan and Gobius, 2012;Saxena et al, 2015). The tropism of pathogenic STEC for the above habitats or niches is likely related to particular metabolic requirements and ecological specializations (Bertin et al, 2013;Farrokh et al, 2013;Pifer and Sperandio, 2014).…”

Long-term survival ofEscherichia coliO157:H7 andSalmonellaTyphimurium in cowpats on pasture

“…can give rise to a wide spectrum of manifestations such as diarrhoea, abortions, poor general condition, decreased appetite, blood poisoning and death (Ferens and Hovde ; Costa et al . ; Fegan and Gobius ). Hence, the presence of Salmonella sp.…”

Surveillance of Escherichia coli in different types of chicken and duck hatcheries: one health outlook

“…E. coli normally inhabits warm-blooded animals' intestines; unfortunately, some types can cause diseases (some in animals and others in humans) ( Ibrahim et al, 2019a ; Mohammed et al, 2019 ). The typical route of E. coli spread from animals to people is the fecal-oral way, which makes the pathogenic types of E. coli important as food and water-borne pathogens ( Fegan and Gobius, 2013 ; Swelum et al, 2021 ). Although the most pathogenic E. coli are species-specific, they can cross from animals to humans and cause diseases, making the bacterium of particular interest from the “one health” point of view ( Fegan and Gobius, 2013 ).…”

“…The typical route of E. coli spread from animals to people is the fecal-oral way, which makes the pathogenic types of E. coli important as food and water-borne pathogens ( Fegan and Gobius, 2013 ; Swelum et al, 2021 ). Although the most pathogenic E. coli are species-specific, they can cross from animals to humans and cause diseases, making the bacterium of particular interest from the “one health” point of view ( Fegan and Gobius, 2013 ). In addition, the path of infection for humans can be rather uncomplicated, consisting of direct contact with infected animals and the consumption of items derived from animal sources ( Oliveira et al, 2023 ).…”

“…In addition, the path of infection for humans can be rather uncomplicated, consisting of direct contact with infected animals and the consumption of items derived from animal sources ( Oliveira et al, 2023 ). Pathogenic E. coli strains may infect its primary animal host, constitute a risk for humans and other animal species, and may contaminate the surrounding environment of the primary host ( Fegan and Gobius, 2013 ).…”