Genetic and Phenotypic Factors Associated with Persistent Shedding of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli by Beef Cattle.

ABSTRACT: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a leading cause of foodborne infections. Cattle are an important STEC reservoir, although little is known about specific pathogen traits that impact persistence in the farm environment. Hence, we sought to evaluate STEC isolates recovered from beef cattle in a single herd in Michigan. To do this, we collected fecal grabs from 26 cattle and resampled 13 of these animals at 3 additional visits over a 3-month period. In all, 66 STEC isolates were recovered for genomics and biofilm quantification using crystal violet assays. The STEC population was diverse, representing seven serotypes, including O157:H7, O26:H11, and O103:H2, which are commonly associated with human infections. Although a core genome analysis of 2,933 genes grouped isolates int

SUBMITTER: Blankenship HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7531944 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature