Free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus) as carriers of potentially zoonotic Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) are zoonotic foodborne pathogens of outmost importance and interest has been raised in recent years to define the potential zoonotic role of wildlife in STEC infection. This study aimed to estimate prevalence of STEC in free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus) living in areas with different anthropisation levels and describe the characteristics of strains in order to evaluate the potential risk posed to humans. Two-hundred one deer faecal samples collected in 2016-2018 from animals of Central Italian Alps were examined by bacteriological analysis and PCR screening of E. coli colonies for stx1, stx2 and eae genes. STEC strains were detected in 40 (19.9%) deer, with significantly higher prevalence in offspring than in yearlings. Whole genome analysis was pe

SUBMITTER: Lauzi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9540879 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature