title: Public Health Microbiology of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli.
abstract: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains are the only pathogenic group of E. coli that has a definite zoonotic origin, with ruminants and, in particular, cattle being recognized as the major reservoir. Most human STEC infections are food borne, but the routes of transmission include direct contact with animals and a variety of environment-related exposures. Therefore, STEC public health microbiology spans the fields of medical, veterinary, food, water, and environmental microbiology, requiring a "One Health" perspective and laboratory scientists with the ability to work effectively across disciplines. Public health microbiology laboratories play a central role in the surveillance of STEC infections, as well as in the preparedness for responding to outbreaks and in providing scientific evidence for the implementation of prevention and control measures. This article reviews (i) how the integration of surveillance of STEC infections and monitoring of these pathogens in animal reservoirs and potential food vehicles may contribute to their control; (ii) the role of reference laboratories, in both the public health and veterinary and food sectors; and (iii) the public health perspectives, including those related to regulatory issues in both the European Union and the United States.
authors.affiliation: European Union Reference Laboratory for E. coli, Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria e Sicurezza Alimentare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caprioli
authors.affiliation: European Union Reference Laboratory for E. coli, Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria e Sicurezza Alimentare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scavia
authors.affiliation: European Union Reference Laboratory for E. coli, Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria e Sicurezza Alimentare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morabito
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005838:Genotype; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D065288:Serogroup; D054323:Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology