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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Bowling Green, Kentucky » Food Animal Environmental Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #370929
Research Project: Developing Safe, Efficient and Environmentally Sound Management Practices for the Use of Animal Manure

Location: Food Animal Environmental Systems Research

Title: Occurrence, genetic relatedness and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli O157 in cattle, beef, and humans in Ethiopia

Author
item GUTEMA, FANTA - Addis Ababa University
item Agga, Getahun
item JUFARE, ALEMNESH - Alage Agricultural Technical Vocational Educational Training College
item DUGUMA, ADDISU - Bishoftu Hospital
item RASSCHAERT, GEERTRUI - Flanders Research Institute For Agriculture
item ABDI, RETA - Long Island University
item DUCHATEAU, LUC - Ghent University
item GABRIEL, SARAH - Ghent University
item DE ZEUTTER, LIEVEN - Ghent University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/5/2020
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Escherichia coli O157 is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli causing diseases in humans. Cattle are the primary reservoir of the pathogen. Information regarding the contribution of beef cattle to diarrheal illnesses in humans through consumption of contaminated beef is scarce in Ethiopia. We collected samples from cattle, beef and humans in Bishoftu town of Ethiopia to determine the prevalence, virulence genes, genetic relatedness and antimicrobial resistance of E. coli O157 against 14 antimicrobials. E. coli O157 was detected from 7% (n=240) of cattle feces, 6.3% (n=127) of beef, and 2.8% (n=216) of human stool samples. All isolates (n=31) were positive for intimin (eae), and 25 (81%) of them were positive for Shiga toxin 2 (stx2) gene, and stx1 was not detected. The isolates were grouped into eight PFGE pulsotypes with six pulsotype groups contained isolates from the three sources while the remaining two groups contained isolates unique either to beef or humans. Six isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial with one beef isolate being multidrug resistant. All human isolates were pan-susceptible. Although the overall antimicrobial resistance is low, the observed resistance to critically important drugs for human medicine signals the need for strict rational use of antimicrobials. In our finding, genetically similar isolates are shared among cattle, beef and humans that may indicate a potential transmission of E. coli O157 to humans through beef. However, more robust studies are required to confirm an actual epidemiological link. Preharvest food safety interventions such as improving beef cattle farming practices, improved beef processing and handling practices as well as increased public awareness would ensure beef safety and reduce the public health impact.