[en] Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of E. coli O157 and O26 on
Belgian dairy cattle farms, the presence of virulence genes in the confirmed isolates, and the
association of E. coli O26 presence with calf diarrhea.
Methods and Results: In total, 233 recto-anal mucosal swabs (RAMS) were obtained from
healthy and diarrheic dairy calves on three farms, each alternately visited three consecutive times.
RAMS were analyzed for presence of E. coli O157 and O26, and stx1, stx2 and eae virulence
genes. Overall, 19% of RAMS tested positive for E. coli O157, while 31% tested positive for E.
coli O26. The majority of isolates possessed both stx and eae, denoting a high pathogenic potential
to humans. While both serogroups persisted at farm level, persistence within the same animal over
time appeared to be relatively rare. Interestingly, E. coli O26 was already abundantly present at a
younger age compared to E. coli O157. Calf diarrhea could not be associated with presence of E.
coli O26.
Conclusions: Young dairy calves are important on-farm reservoirs of potentially pathogenic E.
coli O157 and O26. A role of E. coli O26 in calf diarrhea could not be confirmed.
Significance and Impact of Study: O157 and O26 are responsible for the majority of human
STEC infections. Gaining more epidemiological information regarding their occurrence and
persistence on cattle farms will contribute to a better understanding of STEC ecology and risk of
human transmission.
Disciplines :
Veterinary medicine & animal health
Author, co-author :
Engelen, Frederik; Universiteit Gent - UGent > Department of virology, parasitology and immunology > Laboratory of immunology
Thiry, Damien ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des maladies infectieuses et parasitaires (DMI) > Bactériologie et pathologie des maladies bactériennes
Devleesschauwer, Brecht; Universiteit Gent - UGent > Department of veterinary public health and food safety
Heyndrickx, Marc; Instituut voor Landbouw- en Visserijonderzoek = Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research > Unit technology and food
Mainil, Jacques ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des maladies infectieuses et parasitaires (DMI) > Bactériologie et pathologie des maladies bactériennes
De Zutter, Lieven; Universiteit Gent - UGent > Department of veterinary public health and food safety
Cox, Eric; Universiteit Gent - UGent > Department of virology, parasitology and immunoloigy > Laboratory of immunology
Language :
English
Title :
Pathogenic potential of Escherichia coli O157 and O26 isolated from young Belgian dairy calves by recto-anal mucosal swab culturing
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