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Bosilevac JM, Katz TS, Arthur TM, Kalchayanand N, Wheeler TL. Proportions and Serogroups of Enterohemorrhagic Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Feces of Fed and Cull Beef and Cull Dairy Cattle at Harvest. J Food Prot 2024; 87:100273. [PMID: 38599382 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Cattle are considered a primary reservoir of Shiga toxin (stx)-producing Escherichia coli that cause enterohemorrhagic disease (EHEC), and contaminated beef products are one vehicle of transmission to humans. However, animals entering the beef harvest process originate from differing production systems: feedlots, dairies, and beef breeding herds. The objective of this study was to determine if fed cattle, cull dairy, and or cull beef cattle carry differing proportions and serogroups of EHEC at harvest. Feces were collected via rectoanal mucosal swabs (RAMSs) from 1,039 fed cattle, 1,058 cull dairy cattle, and 1,018 cull beef cattle at harvest plants in seven U.S. states (CA, GA, NE, PA, TX, WA, and WI). The proportion of the stx gene in feces of fed cattle (99.04%) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) than in the feces of cull dairy (92.06%) and cull beef (91.85%) cattle. When two additional factors predictive of EHEC (intimin and ecf1 genes) were considered, EHEC was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in fed cattle (77.29%) than in cull dairy (47.54%) and cull beef (38.51%) cattle. The presence of E. coli O157:H7 and five common non-O157 EHEC of serogroups O26, O103, O111, O121, and O145 was determined using molecular analysis for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) followed by culture isolation. SNP analysis identified 23.48%, 17.67%, and 10.81% and culture isolation confirmed 2.98%, 3.31%, and 3.00% of fed, cull dairy, and cull beef cattle feces to contain one of these EHEC, respectively. The most common serogroups confirmed by culture isolation were O157, O103, and O26. Potential EHEC of fourteen other serogroups were isolated as well, from 4.86%, 2.46%, and 2.01% of fed, cull dairy, and cull beef cattle feces, respectively; with the most common being serogroups O177, O74, O98, and O84. The identification of particular EHEC serogroups in different types of cattle at harvest may offer opportunities to improve food safety risk management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Bosilevac
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Meat Safety and Quality Research Unit, State Spur 18D, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA.
| | - Tatum S Katz
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Meat Safety and Quality Research Unit, State Spur 18D, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - Terrance M Arthur
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Meat Safety and Quality Research Unit, State Spur 18D, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - Norasak Kalchayanand
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Meat Safety and Quality Research Unit, State Spur 18D, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - Tommy L Wheeler
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Meat Safety and Quality Research Unit, State Spur 18D, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
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Wang X, Yu D, Chui L, Zhou T, Feng Y, Cao Y, Zhi S. A Comprehensive Review on Shiga Toxin Subtypes and Their Niche-Related Distribution Characteristics in Shiga-Toxin-Producing E. coli and Other Bacterial Hosts. Microorganisms 2024; 12:687. [PMID: 38674631 PMCID: PMC11052178 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin (Stx), the main virulence factor of Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), was first discovered in Shigella dysenteriae strains. While several other bacterial species have since been reported to produce Stx, STEC poses the most significant risk to human health due to its widespread prevalence across various animal hosts that have close contact with human populations. Based on its biochemical and molecular characteristics, Shiga toxin can be grouped into two types, Stx1 and Stx2, among which a variety of variants and subtypes have been identified in various bacteria and host species. Interestingly, the different Stx subtypes appear to vary in their host distribution characteristics and in the severity of diseases that they are associated with. As such, this review provides a comprehensive overview on the bacterial species that have been recorded to possess stx genes to date, with a specific focus on the various Stx subtype variants discovered in STEC, their prevalence in certain host species, and their disease-related characteristics. This review provides a better understanding of the Stx subtypes and highlights the need for rapid and accurate approaches to toxin subtyping for the proper evaluation of the health risks associated with Shiga-toxin-related bacterial food contamination and human infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- School of Public Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (X.W.); (T.Z.); (Y.F.)
| | - Daniel Yu
- School of Public Health, Univeristy of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Linda Chui
- Alberta Precision Laboratories-ProvLab, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, Canada;
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Tiantian Zhou
- School of Public Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (X.W.); (T.Z.); (Y.F.)
| | - Yu Feng
- School of Public Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (X.W.); (T.Z.); (Y.F.)
| | - Yuhao Cao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China;
| | - Shuai Zhi
- School of Public Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (X.W.); (T.Z.); (Y.F.)
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Hong S, Moon JS, Yoon SS, Kim HY, Lee YJ. Levels of Indicator Bacteria and Characteristics of Foodborne Pathogens from Carcasses of Cattle Slaughterhouses in Korea. J Food Prot 2024; 87:100220. [PMID: 38215980 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
The initial microbial contamination of carcasses during slaughtering adversely affects spoilage and shelf life and is of global concern for food safety and meat quality. This study evaluated the hygiene and quality using the prevalence of foodborne pathogens and the level of indicator bacteria on 200 carcasses, collecting 10 from each of 20 cattle slaughterhouses in Korea. The distribution of aerobic bacterial count in carcasses was significantly highest at 2.0-3.0 log10 CFU/cm2 (34.1%), whereas the Escherichia coli count was significantly highest at under 1.0 log10 CFU/cm2 (94.0%) (P < 0.05). Clostridium perfringens was most prevalent (60.0% of slaughterhouses; 17.5% of carcasses), followed by Yersinia enterocolitica (30.0% of slaughterhouses; 6.5% of carcasses), Staphylococcus aureus (15.0% of slaughterhouses; 4.0% of carcasses), Listeria monocytogenes 1/2a (5.0% of slaughterhouses; 1.0% of carcasses), Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Infantis (5.0% of slaughterhouses; 1.0% of carcasses), and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O:66 (5.0% of slaughterhouses; 0.5% of carcasses). Although 28 C. perfringens isolates from 11 slaughterhouses were divided into 21 pulsotypes, all isolates showed the same toxinotype as type A and only carried the cpa. Interestingly, 83.3% of isolates from two slaughterhouses located in the same province showed resistance to tetracycline. Furthermore, 13 Y. enterocolitica isolates from six slaughterhouses were divided into seven pulsotypes that were divided into biotypes 1A and 2 and serotypes O:5 and O:8, except for isolates that could not be typed. Twelve (92.3%) isolates only carried ystB, but one (7.7%) isolate carried ail and ystA. Moreover, 46.2% of Y. enterocolitica isolates showed multidrug resistance against ampicillin, cefoxitin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. This study supports the need for continuous monitoring of slaughterhouses and hygiene management to improve the microbiological safety of carcasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serim Hong
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute for Veterinary Biomedical Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-San Moon
- Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Seek Yoon
- Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Young Kim
- Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young Ju Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute for Veterinary Biomedical Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
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Salaheen S, Kim SW, Springer HR, Hovingh EP, Van Kessel JAS, Haley BJ. Genomic diversity of antimicrobial-resistant and Shiga toxin gene-harboring non-O157 Escherichia coli from dairy calves. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2023; 33:164-170. [PMID: 36898633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2023.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are globally significant foodborne pathogens. Dairy calves are a known reservoir of both O157 and non-O157 STEC. The objective of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the genomic attributes, diversity, virulence factors, and antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) profiles of the STEC from preweaned and postweaned dairy calves in commercial dairy herds. METHODS In total, 31 non-O157 STEC were identified as part of a larger study focused on the pangenome of >1000 E. coli isolates from the faeces of preweaned and postweaned dairy calves on commercial dairy farms. These 31 genomes were sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq500 platform. RESULTS Based on the phylogenetic analyses, the STEC isolates were determined to be polyphyletic, with at least three phylogroups: A (32%), B1 (58%), and G (3%). These phylogroups represented at least 16 sequence types and 11 serogroups, including two of the 'big six' serogroups, O103 and O111. Several Shiga toxin gene subtypes were identified in the genomes, including stx1a, stx2a, stx2c, stx2d, and stx2g. Using the ResFinder database, the majority of the isolates (>50%) were determined to be multidrug-resistant strains because they harboured genes conferring resistance to three or more classes of antimicrobials, including some of human health significance (e.g., β-lactams, macrolides, and fosfomycin). Additionally, non-O157 STEC strain persistence and transmission within a farm was observed. CONCLUSION Dairy calves are a reservoir of phylogenomically diverse multidrug-resistant non-O157 STEC. Information from this study may inform assessments of public health risk and guide preharvest prevention strategies focusing on STEC reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serajus Salaheen
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland
| | - Seon Woo Kim
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland
| | - Hayley R Springer
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Ernest P Hovingh
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Jo Ann S Van Kessel
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland
| | - Bradd J Haley
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland.
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Askari Badouei M, Taban H, Nemati A, Fernando Dos Santos L. Molecular serotyping of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) of animal origin in Iran reveals the presence of important non-O157 seropathotypes. VETERINARY RESEARCH FORUM : AN INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY JOURNAL 2023; 14:267-274. [PMID: 37342291 PMCID: PMC10278905 DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2022.550618.3416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
The present study reported the first serotyping (O:H typing) data documented in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains of animal origin in Iran in isolates recovered between 2008 to 2016. A total number of 75 STEC strains previously isolated from fecal samples of cattle, sheep, goats, pigeons, humans, and deer were assessed by different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays detecting the major virulence genes of STEC and phylogroups. Then, the strains were tested for the 16 important O-groups by PCR. Finally, twenty strains were selected for H-genotyping by PCR plus sequencing. The predominant serogroup was O113 which was detected in nine isolates (five cattle, 55.50%; two goats, 22.20%; two red deer, 22.20%) followed by O26 (3/3, 100%) in cattle, O111 (3/3, 100%) in cattle, O5 (3/3, 100%) in sheep, O63 (1/1, 100%) in pigeon, O75 (2/2, 100%) in pigeons, and O128 in goats (2/3, 66.60%) and pigeon (1/3, 33.30%). The most important recognized serotypes were O113:H21 in cattle (2/3) and goat (1/3), O113:H4 in red deer (1/1), O111:H8 in calves (2/2), O26:H11 in calve (1/1), O128:H2 in goats (2/3) and pigeon (1/3), and O5:H19 in sheep (3/3). One cattle strain carrying stx1, stx2, eae, and Ehly genes belonged to O26:H29 serotype. Most strains with determined O-groups were from the bovine source that highlighted the importance of cattle as reservoirs of potentially pathogenic serovars. The present study suggested that the top seven non-O157 serogroups should be assessed along with O157 in all future research and clinical diagnostics of STEC in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Askari Badouei
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran;
| | - Haniye Taban
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Semnan, Iran;
| | - Ali Nemati
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran;
| | - Luis Fernando Dos Santos
- Adolfo Lutz Institute, Center of Bacteriology, National Reference Laboratory for E. coli enteric infections and HUS, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Ray R, Singh P. Prevalence and Implications of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli in Farm and Wild Ruminants. Pathogens 2022; 11:1332. [PMID: 36422584 PMCID: PMC9694250 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a food-borne pathogen that causes human gastrointestinal infections across the globe, leading to kidney failure or even death in severe cases. E. coli are commensal members of humans and animals' (cattle, bison, and pigs) guts, however, may acquire Shiga-toxin-encoded phages. This acquisition or colonization by STEC may lead to dysbiosis in the intestinal microbial community of the host. Wildlife and livestock animals can be asymptomatically colonized by STEC, leading to pathogen shedding and transmission. Furthermore, there has been a steady uptick in new STEC variants representing various serotypes. These, along with hybrids of other pathogenic E. coli (UPEC and ExPEC), are of serious concern, especially when they possess enhanced antimicrobial resistance, biofilm formation, etc. Recent studies have reported these in the livestock and food industry with minimal focus on wildlife. Disturbed natural habitats and changing climates are increasingly creating wildlife reservoirs of these pathogens, leading to a rise in zoonotic infections. Therefore, this review comprehensively surveyed studies on STEC prevalence in livestock and wildlife hosts. We further present important microbial and environmental factors contributing to STEC spread as well as infections. Finally, we delve into potential strategies for limiting STEC shedding and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pallavi Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL 60115, USA
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Development of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)-Based Triplex PCR Marker for Serotype-Specific Escherichia coli Detection. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020115. [PMID: 35215059 PMCID: PMC8874422 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are one of the most common forms of genetic variation and as such are powerful tools for the identification of bacterial strains, their genetic diversity, phylogenetic analysis, and outbreak surveillance. In this study, we used 15 sets of SNP-containing primers to amplify and sequence the target Escherichia coli. Based on the combination of the 15-sequence primer sets, each SNP site encompassing forward and reverse primer sequences (620–919 bp) were aligned and an SNP-based marker was designed. Each SNP marker exists in at least two SNP sites at the 3′ end of each primer; one natural and the other artificially created by transition or transversion mutation. Thus, 12 sets of SNP primers (225–488 bp) were developed for validation by amplifying the target E. coli. Finally, a temperature gradient triplex PCR kit was designed to detect target E. coli strains. The selected primers were amplified in three genes (ileS, thrB, and polB), with fragment sizes of 401, 337, and 232 bp for E. coli O157:H7, E. coli, and E. coli O145:H28, respectively. This allele-specific SNP-based triplex primer assay provides serotype-specific detection of E. coli strains in one reaction tube. The developed marker would be used to diagnose, investigate, and control food-borne E. coli outbreaks.
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Castro VS, Ortega Polo R, Figueiredo EEDS, Bumunange EW, McAllister T, King R, Conte-Junior CA, Stanford K. Inconsistent PCR detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli: Insights from whole genome sequence analyses. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257168. [PMID: 34478476 PMCID: PMC8415614 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) have been linked to food-borne disease outbreaks. As PCR is routinely used to screen foods for STEC, it is important that factors leading to inconsistent detection of STEC by PCR are understood. This study used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to investigate causes of inconsistent PCR detection of stx1, stx2, and serogroup-specific genes. Fifty strains isolated from Alberta feedlot cattle from three different studies were selected with inconsistent or consistent detection of stx and serogroup by PCR. All isolates were initially classified as STEC by PCR. Sequencing was performed using Illumina MiSeq® with sample library by Nextera XT. Virtual PCRs were performed using Geneious and bacteriophage content was determined using PHASTER. Sequencing coverage ranged from 47 to 102x, averaging 74x, with sequences deposited in the NCBI database. Eleven strains were confirmed by WGS as STEC having complete stxA and stxB subunits. However, truncated stx fragments occurred in twenty-two other isolates, some having multiple stx fragments in the genome. Isolates with complete stx by WGS had consistent stx1 and stx2 detection by PCR, although one also having a stx2 fragment had inconsistent stx2 PCR. For all STEC and 18/39 non-STEC, serogroups determined by PCR agreed with those determined by WGS. An additional three WGS serotypes were inconclusive and two isolates were Citrobacter spp. Results demonstrate that stx fragments associated with stx-carrying bacteriophages in the E. coli genome may contribute to inconsistent detection of stx1 and stx2 by PCR. Fourteen isolates had integrated stx bacteriophage but lacked complete or fragmentary stx possibly due to partial bacteriophage excision after sub-cultivation or other unclear mechanisms. The majority of STEC isolates (7/11) did not have identifiable bacteriophage DNA in the contig(s) where stx was located, likely increasing the stability of stx in the bacterial genome and its detection by PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius Silva Castro
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiaba, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Canada
| | - Rodrigo Ortega Polo
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, Canada
| | | | | | - Tim McAllister
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, Canada
| | - Robin King
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - Kim Stanford
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Canada
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