Preharvest control of Escherichia coli O157 in cattle

¹ Food Animal Health Research Program, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: lejeune.3{at}osu.edu.

	Abstract

Bovine manure is an important source of Escherichia coli O157 contamination of the environment and foods; therefore, effective interventions targeted at reducing the prevalence and magnitude of fecal E. coli O157 excretion by live cattle (preharvest) are desired. Preharvest intervention methods can be grouped into three categories: 1) exposure reduction strategies; 2) exclusion strategies, and 3) direct anti-pathogen strategies. Exposure reduction involves environmental management targeted at reducing bovine exposure to E. coli O157 through biosecurity and environmental niche management such as feed and drinking water hygiene, reduced exposure to insects or wildlife, and the cleanliness of the bedding, or pen floor. In the category of exclusion, we group vaccination and dietary modifications such as selection of specific feed components, feeding of prebiotics and/or probiotics, and supplementation with competitive exclusion cultures-to limit proliferation of E. coli O157 in or on exposed animals. Direct anti-pathogen strategies include treatment with sodium chlorate, antibiotics, bacteriophages, in addition to washing of animals before slaughter. Presently, only one preharvest control for E. coli O157 in cattle has been effective and gained widespread adoption (i.e., the feeding probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus). More research into the effectiveness of parallel and simultaneous application of one or more preharvest control strategies, as well as the identification of new preharvest control methods, may provide practical means to substantially reduce the incidence of human E. coli O157-related illness by intervening at the farm level.

Key Words: Cattle, E. coli O157, Food safety, Preharvest

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