The prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing strains of Escherichia coli in cattle and pigs at slaughterhouses in the Czech Republic

Shiga toxin-producing strains of Escherichia coli (STEC) are significant agents of alimentary infections in humans. The prevalence of these infections is lower than that of campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, though there are clinically severe infections that may have lethal consequences in the case of complications. STEC monitoring was performed in cattle and pigs at selected Czech slaughterhouses in June, July and August 2012. A total of 622 cattle and 993 pigs were tested. Samples were collected from a total of 111 slaughter batches. The occurrence of E. coli serogroups O26, O103, O104, O111, O145 and O157 was monitored. A PCR method revealed the presence of monitored E. coli serogroups in 43.8% of swabs taken from the tested carcasses. Twenty-five strains were subsequently cultivated from the analysed material, of which 11 had the genetic makeup for Shiga toxin production and also carried the eae gene.