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Listen to this siteWednesday 11 February 2004
This research project aims to investigate whether there is a difference in the concentration and prevalence of E. coli O157 shed by cattle during the summer and winter months.
Study Duration : January 2003 to April 2003
Contractor : University of Aberdeen
A previous study conducted in Scotland in summer 2002 showed that 7% of cattle tested at abattoir were positive for E. coli O157 in faeces. This current project (S01018) repeated this study during January to March 2003 (when few human cases of E. coli O157 are reported) allowing a comparison to be made between the concentration and prevalence of E. coli O157 shed by cattle during the summer and winter months. This study will help to determine the most important areas for intervention strategies to reduce numbers of E. coli O157 and areas for good hygiene practices in the processing of carcasses and beef products.
The majority of E. coli O157 infections in humans occur during the summer months and the fewest during the winter. A study conducted in Scotland during summer 2002 showed that 7% of the cattle tested were positive for E. coli O157 in their faeces. Project S01018 was commissioned to repeat the study during January to March 2003 to allow a comparison to be made between the concentration and prevalence of E.coli O157 shed by cattle during the summer and winter.
The prevalence of E. coli O157 in cattle is greater during the cooler months compared to the warmer months. This is the opposite of the seasonality of human infections. High shedding animals were found in similar numbers (approximately 1 in 200) during both the winter and summer months. However, the high shedding animals in the summer appear to shed a higher number of E. coli O157. This results in approximately an 8-fold increase of E. coli O157 shed in the summer compared with the winter.
The genetic tests showed that > 90% of the E. coli O157 could potentially cause disease in humans and also that the genetic profile of the organisms found in the cattle were similar to those found in humans. This suggests that cattle are a potential source of E. coli O157 infection in humans.
The greater number of E. coli O157 shed during the warmer months by the high shedding cattle may partly explain why there are more humans falling ill at this time of year. Some method of removing these high shedding animals from the food chain or causing them to shed less E. coli O157 may reduce the risk of food poisoning.
Final report is available from the FSA Library and Information centre.
To obtain a copy, please contact the Enquiry Desk, Dr Elsie Widdowson Library and Information Services, Food Standards Agency ( 020 7276 8181/8182 or by e-mail
infocentre@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
).
Contact
: For any enquiries concerning this research project, please contact the relevant Programme contact or e-mail
science@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
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