Veterinarski Glasnik (Jan 2009)
Escherichia coli: Old problem, new pathology
Abstract
Even though the presence of Escherichia coli in the organism of humans and animals as a commensal has been known for a long time, attention has been paid to it only recently as the cause of diseases in humans and animals. The disease that is caused by this bacteria is linked to new variants-strains (eg. Verotoxic 0157:H7) which have, due to the toxic effects, a pathogensis and clinical picture that differs from those which have so far been linked to the conventional E.coli. Namely, it has been proved that there is a connection between the presence of certain strains of this bacteria in animals in which there is no occurrence of clinical symptoms, and diseased humans who had come into contact with these animals. Since infection with E.coli is transferred also through food items of animal origin, and in keeping with the valid regulations on hygiene safety of food items, increasing importance is placed on the isolation and identification of this bacteria on the slaughter line. It has also been accepted that it is necessary to apply screening among animal populations, as the basic step in the control and eradication of pathogens. There are few data on the distribution of verotoxic E.coli and the number of reported cases of infection in humans in Serbia, and they do not provide the real picture of the epizootiological-epidemiological situation. Verotoxic E.coli occurred over the past two decades as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. Due to the large number of cases that are linked, directly or indirectly, with food items of animal origin, there have been major economic losses as well.
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