Occurence of Eserichia coli O157:H7 in Estonian dairy farms and beef production chain in 2005–2014
Toomas Kramarenko,
Kadrin Meremäe,
Jelena Sõgel,
Maiu Kuningas,
Annika Vilem,
Liidia Häkkinen,
Mihkel Mäesaar,
Terje Elias,
Mati Roasto
Affiliations
Toomas Kramarenko
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 56/3, 51014 Tartu, Estonia. [email protected]
Kadrin Meremäe
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 56/3, 51014 Tartu, Estonia. [email protected]
Jelena Sõgel
The Veterinary and Food Board, Väike-Paala 3, 11415 Tallinn, Estonia
Maiu Kuningas
Estonian Veterinary and Food Laboratory, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 30, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
Annika Vilem
Estonian Veterinary and Food Laboratory, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 30, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
Liidia Häkkinen
Estonian Veterinary and Food Laboratory, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 30, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
Mihkel Mäesaar
Estonian Veterinary and Food Laboratory, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 30, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
Terje Elias
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 56/3, 51014 Tartu, Estonia. [email protected]
Mati Roasto
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 56/3, 51014 Tartu, Estonia. [email protected]
Escherichia coli O157:H7 human infections are mostly associated with consumption of raw or undercooked beef and raw milk. Ruminants, especially cattle are the main reservoir of the pathogen. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle dairy farm and beef production level in Estonia. It was found that E. coli O157:H7 is present at both the dairy farm and slaughterhouse level. The occurrence of the pathogen at Estonian dairy farm level was 1.2% from 1312 cattle's sampled. At slaughterhouse level 744 hide swabs were taken from which 30 (4.0%) were positive to E. coli O157:H7. Both stx1 and stx2 genes were determined from isolates and often the combination of both genes was found to be present. Minimal inhibitory concentration was determined for 30 E. coli O157:H7 isolates which revealed 26.7% of multiresistant isolates. In 2009–2010 in a total of 188 beef samples were analysed, which all were negative for O157:H7.
