title: Transmission of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from contaminated manure and irrigation water to lettuce plant tissue and its subsequent internalization.
abstract: The transmission of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from manure-contaminated soil and irrigation water to lettuce plants was demonstrated using laser scanning confocal microscopy, epifluorescence microscopy, and recovery of viable cells from the inner tissues of plants. E. coli O157:H7 migrated to internal locations in plant tissue and was thus protected from the action of sanitizing agents by virtue of its inaccessibility. Experiments demonstrate that E. coli O157:H7 can enter the lettuce plant through the root system and migrate throughout the edible portion of the plant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA.
authors.forename: Ethan B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: Sima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yaron
authors.forename: Karl R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005506:Food Contamination; D018545:Lactuca / Q000382:microbiology*; D008372:Manure / Q000382:microbiology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000382:microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014876:Water Pollution
chemical_list: D008372:Manure