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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Meat Safety and Quality » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #290986
Title: Effect of proximity to a cattle feedlot on the occurrence of Escherichia coli 0157:H7-positive pest flies in a leafy green crop

Author
item Berry, Elaine
item Wells, James - Jim
item Durso, Lisa
item Bono, James - Jim
item Friesen, Kristina
item Woodbury, Bryan
item SUSLOW, TREVOR - University Of California
item LOPEZ-VELASCO, GABRIELA - University Of California
item Millner, Patricia

Submitted to: International Association for Food Protection Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/5/2013
Publication Date: 7/28/2013
Citation: Berry, E.D., Wells, J., Durso, L.M., Bono, J.L., Friesen, K.M., Woodbury, B.L., Suslow, T.V., Lopez-Velasco, G., Millner, P.D. 2013. Effect of proximity to a cattle feedlot on the occurrence of Escherichia coli 0157:H7-positive pest flies in a leafy green crop. International Association for Food Protection Proceedings. [abstract]P3-132 Page No 65.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Introduction: Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreaks linked to produce have focused attention on cattle as contamination sources. Cattle pest flies can harbor this pathogen, and may disseminate it to produce. The Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement proposes an interim guidance distance of 400 feet between concentrated animal feeding operations and leafy green crops to reduce contamination risk. Purpose: The objective was to determine the occurrence of E. coli O157:H7-positive pest flies in leafy greens planted at different distances from a cattle feedlot. Methods: Spinach was planted to nine plots sited at 200, 400, and 600 feet from a 6,000-head feedlot (3 plots each distance). Sticky traps were used to capture flies at the spinach plots and the feedlot in June through September. Traps were removed to the lab after 48 h, and flies were identified, counted, and pooled by species (up to ten flies per pool). Presence of E. coli O157:H7 was determined by immunomagnetic separation and plating in up to ten fly pools per site. Results: Prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in house flies (Musca domestica) and face flies (Musca autumnalis) was 17.1 and 15.8%, respectively, and did not differ (P > 0.05). Prevalence in house flies tended to be higher (P = 0.09) than in flesh flies (Sarcophagidae; 10.7%) and was higher (P < 0.05) than in blow flies (Calliphoridae; 7.6%) and stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans; 0.63%). Overall, the percentage of O157:H7-positive fly pools was highest (P < 0.05) at the edge of the feedlot (18.5%), although the pathogen was found in 10.4, 8.5, and 9.5% of fly pools at 200, 400, and 600 feet from the feedlot. Significance: Current leafy green field distance guidelines may not be adequate to limit the occurrence of pest flies in crops planted near cattle feedlots. Further work is needed to clarify the risk for transmission of E. coli O157:H7 to leafy greens by flies.