Isolation, Identification, and Critical Points of Risk of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Contamination at Aceh Cattle Breeding Centre

This study was aimed to identify possible critical points of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, a pathogenic agent, contamination in aceh cattle breeding centre. For this purpose, samples were collected from cattle faeces, hand of workers (animal keepers), and water sources in the farm using cross-sectional approach. A number of 85 samples of cattle faecal swab were collected randomly from the animals in the breeding centre. The samples of swab of hand of all workers (15 persons) were collected before and after work. Then, the water sources from 11 cattle house locations in the breeding centre were collected. The water sources were divided into three different locations, namely the water containers, taps, and water puddle on the floors. At each source a number of 11 samples were collected. Isolation of E. coli was conducted on Eosin Methylene Blue Agar (EMBA), followed by identification on Sorbitol MacConkey Agar (SMAC). Then Molecular subtyping of E. coli O157:H7 genes was conducted using multiplex-PCR analysis. Data were analysed descriptively. The results of this study showed that 72 samples (85 %) among 85 samples were positive for E. coli and the rest of samples were positive for other types of bacteria. Sample isolation from swabs of hand was found 3 positive E. coli before work and 1 positive E. coli after work from 15 workers. The most potential water sources for E. coli contamination were the water in taps, and water puddle on the floor of cattle houses. Then, two of samples of E. coli isolated from rectal swab were confirmed as E. coli O157:H7 using PCR test, based on the presence of stx2 gene. In conclusion, the risk of presence of E. coli as zoonotic agents of E. coli O157:H7 in aceh cattle as well as from the farm workers and surrounding area are high. An appropriate control strategy is needed to apply in the aceh cattle farm to prevent from E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in the future.