Abstract

Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) serotype O157:H7 strains from a Swedish cattle prevalence study (n=32), and livestock-derived strains linked to human disease (n=13), were characterized by microarray and PCR detection of virulence genes. The overall aim of the study was to investigate the distribution of known virulence determinants and determine which genes are linked to increased pathogenicity in humans. A core set of 18 genes or gene variants were found in all strains, while seven genes were variably present. This suggests that the majority of VTEC O157:H7 found in Swedish cattle carry a broad repertoire of virulence genes and should be considered potentially harmful to humans. A single virulence gene type was significantly associated with strains linked to human disease cases (P=0.012), but no genetic trait to explain the increased virulence of this genotype could be found.

Keywords

Molecular biology; molecular epidemiology; Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli; zoonotic foodborne diseases

Published in

Epidemiology and Infection
2011, Volume: 139, number: 7, pages: 1088-1096
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

SLU Authors

• Eriksson, Erik

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Boqvist, Sofia

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Veterinary Science
Animal and Dairy Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S095026881000213X

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/46583