Abstract
It is reckoned worldwide that verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) serotypes are important food borne pathogens causing severe health problems in humans. A cross sectional epidemiological study was carried out to determine the prevalence of VTEC serotypes (O157 and non O157) in both apparently healthy and diarrhoeic cattle in Abuja, FCT. A total of 718 faecal samples collected from abattoirs and cattle herds from Abuja, FCT representing 381 from apparently healthy and 337 from diarrhoeic cattle were analyzed. Primary isolation of typical E. coli was done using Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar and performing biochemical tests. Samples were further analyzed using Cefixime, Tellurite-Sorbitol McConkey (CT-SMAC) agar to identify sorbitol and non sorbitol fermenting E. coli. Further characterization of both the sorbitol fermenting and non sorbitol fermenting E. coli was done using commercially procured latex agglutination test kits from Oxoid, United Kingdom. The prevalence of VTEC O157 in apparently healthy cattle was 1.84% and 2.96% for diarrhoeic cattle while the prevalence of non O157 VTEC was 3.67% and 7.12% for apparently healthy and diarrhoeic cattle respectively. There was no strong association (p > 0.05) between faecal consistency and infection with VTEC O157. A strong association (p < 0.05) however existed between faecal consistency and infection with non-O157 VTEC. Diarrhoeic cattle appear likely to be more affected. The implication of the study is that individuals in contact with cattle such as veterinarians, abattoir workers and cattle herdsmen are at risk of exposure to VTEC and proper hygienic control measures should be adopted.
Highlights
Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli are highly significant zoonotic threat to public health globally
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157 and non-O157 serotypes in apparently healthy and diarrhoeic cattle in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with the view to raising awareness amongst population at risk to fashion out creative hygienic means of controlling the infection
Of the 358 samples analyzed from cattle herds, 207 were from apparently healthy while 151 were from diarrhoeic cattle
Summary
Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli are highly significant zoonotic threat to public health globally. Food borne spread of VTEC infection usually results from well recognized lapses in food handling, notably failure to achieve adequate cooking temperatures [3] [4] or contamination of ready-to-eat products [5]. Their low infective dose combined with the severity of symptoms associated with the infection make them a significant concern [1], poses an occupational risk to caterers and others who handle food, mainly because of its low infective dose [6]. Hides, and pre-chilled carcasses are the best samples to monitor VTEC at slaughter and to compare data among countries [12]
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