Multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) of Irish verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli O157 from feedlot cattle: uncovering strain dissemination routes.
BACKGROUND
The identification of the routes of dissemination of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157 through a cohort of cattle is a critical step to control this pathogen at farm level. The aim of this study was to identify potential routes of dissemination of E. coli O157 using Multiple-Locus Variable number of tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA).


RESULTS
Thirty-eight environmental and sixteen cattle faecal isolates, which were detected in four adjacent pens over a four-month period were sub-typed. MLVA could separate these isolates into broadly defined clusters consisting of twelve MLVA types. Strain diversity was observed within pens, individual cattle and the environment.


CONCLUSIONS
Application of MLVA is a broadly useful and convenient tool when applied to uncover the dissemination of E. coli O157 in the environment and in supporting improved on-farm management of this important pathogen. These data identified diverse strain types based on amplification of VNTR markers in each case.
Murphy
Mary
M
Veterinary Food Safety Laboratory, Cork County Council, Inniscarra, Cork, Ireland. maryn.murphy@corkcoco.ie
Minihan
Donal
D
Buckley
James F
JF
O'Mahony
Micheál
M
Whyte
Paul
P
Fanning
Séamus
S
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006799:Housing, Animal; D007494:Ireland; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences / Q000235:genetics*; D014871:Water Microbiology
D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial