Factors affecting Escherichia coli 0157:H7 hide contamination of feedlot cattle

Authors :: Schneider, L. G.
Erickson, G. E.
Moxley, R. A.
Smith, D. R.
Publication Year :: 2014
Publisher :: American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 2014.
Abstract: Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (STEC 0157) is an enteric bacterium that can cause severe illness in humans. Cattle are important asymptomatic reservoirs for direct or indirect human exposure to STEC 0157. The STEC 0157 colonize the terminal rectum mucosa (TRM) of cattle, and colonized cattle have been defined as super-shedders because while colonized they are an important source of STEC 0157 to other cattle in the population. At harvest, hide-to-carcass transfer of STEC 0157 presents an important risk for beef contamination and human foodborne exposure. Our objective was to determine factors that increase prevalence of hide contamination.<br />American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 2014