Horizontal transmission of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli within groups of dairy calves.
To examine the dissemination of Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) within cattle groups, dairy calves on two farms utilizing different calf-rearing practices were exposed to a traceable STEC strain. Test strain dissemination differed significantly between farms, with a higher prevalence being associated with group penning. Pen floors and calf hides may be the main environmental mechanisms of transmission. Dairy calf husbandry represents a control point for reducing on-farm STEC prevalence.
Cobbold
R
R
Department of Microbiology, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia. cobbold@vetmed.wsu.edu
Desmarchelier
P
P
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D003612:Dairying; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000662:veterinary*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D022621:Shiga Toxin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D022621:Shiga Toxin