Occurrence of Escherichia coli and Escherichia Coli O157:H7 in cattle, farm environment, milk and beef

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of Escherichia coli and E. coli O157:H7 in the cattle, farm environment beef and milk samples. Methodology and results: A total of 192 samples were collected from cattle (rectal faeces) (96) and their farm environment (96) including feed, floor of stall swabs, pooled flies and water samples and 30 milk samples from dairy cattle. A total of seven markets were selected to collect 60 beef samples. The presence of E. coli and E. coli O157:H7 was determined using culture method and confirmed using PCR assay. The overall occurrence rate of E. coli in the farm was 49%. In milk, the occurrence of E. coli was 33.3% and in beef was 10%. The isolated E. coli were then screened for E. coli O157 using latex agglutination test (Oxoid) and 34.2% were found positive to the test. The identified E. coli O157 isolates were then subjected to multiplex PCR with five primer pairs. They were all negative except for 3.6% of the E. coli O157 (10.5%) isolates which were positive for the presence of fliCH7 genes. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: This study showed the absence of E. coli O157:H7 in the cattle, farm environment, milk and beef. This study may provide a base for conducting a broader spectrum study by having more risk factors included in the study of E. coli in cattle in Malaysia. Further detailed studies may provide a platform to control emergence and distribution of pathogenic bacteria and ensure good control and surveillance strategies and policies.