Geographical Difference in Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 in Finished Beef Cattle

Abstract

As part of a larger study to measure the feedlot pen prevalence effects of Escherichia coli O157 on carcass contamination, 15 pens of cattle were sampled from 12 different feedlots in three states. Thirty fresh pen floor samples were collected prior to slaughter. Other variables included sex, days on feed, weight, number, pen condition and feedlot geographic location. Fecal samples underwent standard enrichment, immunomagnetic separation and isolation procedures for E. coli 0157.