[Occurrence of Salmonella spp. and shigatoxin-producing escherichia coli (STEC) in horse faeces and horse meat products].
In order to assess the relevance of horses as a possible reservoir of Salmonella and Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), 400 samples of horse faeces and 100 samples of horse meat products were examined by PCR-screening methods. Salmonella enterica was not found in any of the samples. One faeces-sample and one horse meat product were proved to be STEC positive. The STEC-strain from faecal origin belonged to the serotype 0113:H21 and had the stx 2c gene and the enterohemolysin gene. The STEC-strain isolated from a horse meat product had the serotype O87:H16 and the stx 2d gene. The results indicate a very low risk for human to get a Salmonella- or EHEC- infection from horses in Germany.
Pichner
Rohtraud
R
Institut für Mikrobiologie und Toxikologie der Bundesforschungsanstalt für Ernährung und Lebensmittel, Kulmbach. m-pichner@baff-kulmbach.de
Sander
Andrea
A
Steinrück
Hartmut
H
Gareis
Manfred
M
D000818:Animals; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D018397:Equidae; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006736:Horses; D008460:Meat / Q000382:microbiology*; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology; D022603:Shiga Toxins / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D022603:Shiga Toxins