Category Archives: E.coli O157:H7

Research – Oregano Essential Oil versus Conventional Disinfectants against Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7 Biofilms and Damage to Stainless-Steel Surfaces

Posted on October 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

This study compared the effect of oregano essential oil versus sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, and benzalkonium chloride against the viability of adhered Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on 304 stainless steel. Oregano essential oil was effective in disrupting the biofilms of both bacteria at concentrations ranging from 0.15 to 0.52 mg mL−1. In addition, damage to stainless-steel surfaces following disinfection treatments was assessed by weight loss analysis and via visual inspection using light microscopy. Compared to the other treatments, oregano oil caused the least damage to stainless steel (~0.001% weight loss), whereas sodium hypochlorite caused the most severe damage (0.00817% weight loss) when applied at 0.5 mg mL−1. Moreover, oregano oil also had an apparent protective impact on the stainless steel as weight losses were less than for the control surfaces (distilled water only). On the other hand, sodium hypochlorite caused the most severe damage to stainless steel (0.00817% weight loss). In conclusion, oregano oil eliminated monoculture biofilms of two important foodborne pathogens on 304 stainless-steel surfaces, while at the same time minimizing damage to the surfaces compared with conventional disinfectant treatments.

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Posted in Biofilm, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Microbiology Research, Research, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research – Analysis of Escherichia coli O157 strains in cattle and humans between Scotland and England & Wales: implications for human health

Posted on October 19, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Microbiology Research

ABSTRACT

For the last two decades, the human infection frequency of  O157 (O157) in Scotland has been 2.5-fold higher than in England and Wales. Results from national cattle surveys conducted in Scotland and England and Wales in 2014/2015 were combined with data on reported human clinical cases from the same time frame to determine if strain differences in national populations of O157 in cattle could be associated with higher human infection rates in Scotland. Shiga toxin subtype (Stx) and phage type (PT) were examined within and between host (cattle vs human) and nation (Scotland vs England and Wales). For a subset of the strains, whole genome sequencing (WGS) provided further insights into geographical and host association. All three major O157 lineages (I, II, I/II) and most sub-lineages (Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIc) were represented in cattle and humans in both nations. While the relative contribution of different reservoir hosts to human infection is unknown, WGS analysis indicated that the majority of O157 diversity in human cases was captured by isolates from cattle. Despite comparable cattle O157 prevalence between nations, strain types were localized. PT21/28 (sub-lineage Ic, Stx2a+) was significantly more prevalent in Scottish cattle [odds ratio (OR) 8.7 (2.3–33.7; <0.001] and humans [OR 2.2 (1.5–3.2); <0.001]. In England and Wales, cattle had a significantly higher association with sub-lineage IIa strains [PT54, Stx2c; OR 5.6 (1.27–33.3); =0.011] while humans were significantly more closely associated with sub-lineage IIb [PT8, Stx1 and Stx2c; OR 29 (4.9–1161); <0.001]. Therefore, cattle farms in Scotland were more likely to harbour Stx2a+O157 strains compared to farms in E and W (<0.001). There was evidence of limited cattle strain migration between nations and clinical isolates from one nation were more similar to cattle isolates from the same nation, with sub-lineage Ic (mainly PT21/28) exhibiting clear national association and evidence of local transmission in Scotland. While we propose the higher rate of O157 clinical cases in Scotland, compared to England and Wales, is a consequence of the nationally higher level of Stx2a+O157 strains in Scottish cattle, we discuss the multiple additional factors that may also contribute to the different infection rates between these nations.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, eae, Food Microbiology Research, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology Risk, Research, STEC, STEC E.coli, STX 1, STX 2, WGS, Whole Genomic Sequencing

Research – Sporadic Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli–Associated Pediatric Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, France, 2012–2021

Posted on September 30, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CDC

Abstract

Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli–associated pediatric hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) remains an important public health risk in France. Cases are primarily sporadic, and geographic heterogeneity has been observed in crude incidence rates. We conducted a retrospective study of 1,255 sporadic pediatric STEC-HUS cases reported during 2012–2021 to describe spatiotemporal dynamics and geographic patterns of higher STEC-HUS risk. Annual case notifications ranged from 109 to 163. Most cases (n = 780 [62%]) were in children ❤ years of age. STEC serogroups O26, O80, and O157 accounted for 78% (559/717) of cases with serogroup data. We identified 13 significant space-time clusters and 3 major geographic zones of interest; areas of southeastern France were included in >5 annual space-time clusters. The results of this study have numerous implications for outbreak detection and investigation and research perspectives to improve knowledge of environmental risk factors associated with geographic disparities in STEC-HUS in France.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, E.coli O26, E.coli O26 :H11, Food Microbiology Research, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology Risk, O80, Research, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA -Lehi STEC E. coli O157 outbreak grows to 13 cases, 7 hospitalizations

Posted on September 25, 2023 by | Leave a comment

KSL

LEHI — The E. coli outbreak tied to Lehi’s irrigation water has grown to 13 cases and seven hospitalizations.

The revelation of a new, lab-confirmed case of E. coli O157 comes after weeks of no new cases.

Lehi confirmed with KSL-TV that the person in the most recent case was exposed to irrigation water at the end of August, which was after the city shock-treated two of its reservoirs in an attempt to lower the levels of bacteria.

“Twelve out of the 13 cases had confirmed (pressurized irrigation) water exposure,” the city said in a press release. “The investigation linked the source of the cases to using pressurized irrigation for drinking and recreation, such as running through sprinklers or playing on slip-n-slides, bounce houses, kiddie pools, and outside water tables.”

The city said there’s no evidence any of the cases came from simply playing on grass or a playground.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA – 5 confirmed cases of E. coli reported at Huntley High School

Posted on September 22, 2023 by | Leave a comment

NBC Chicago

At least five cases of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) have been reported at suburban Huntley High School, officials say.

In a letter released to parents on Wednesday, officials said they had been contacted by the McHenry County Health Department about the outbreak.

Health officials are working to determine “common exposures” among the five individuals who have been diagnosed with the illness, but no definitive source has been identified at this time.

According to the press release, any child who experiences symptoms of E. coli must be kept home until they are symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

Canada – Fueling Brains E. coli Outbreak jumps to 264 Sickened

Posted on September 14, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has now reported that the Fueling Brains Day Care E. coli outbreak includes 264 lab-confirmed cases. On Tuesday, an AHS spokesperson confirmed 33 more cases had been linked to the outbreak in the past day.

The provincial health authority said there are now 25 patients in hospital.

Since the outbreak was declared at the start of last week, 12 patients have been discharged from hospital.

21 children have been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Six of those are presently receiving dialysis.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

Canada- Patient count exceeds 225 in E. coli O157 outbreak linked to daycare centers

Posted on September 13, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The patient count in an E. coli outbreak linked to daycare centers in Calgary, Canada, now stands at 231.

Alberta Health Services officials say 26 of the sick are currently hospitalized, 25 of them children and one adult. Eleven other children have already been discharged from hospitals. Twenty-one children have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which is a type of kidney failure that also affects other organs.

A specific food has not been identified as the source of the E. coli O157:H7, but investigators have collected samples of leftovers and frozen food for testing. Eleven daycare centers that share a common kitchen were closed.

The central kitchen that serves the 11 daycare centers remains closed.

Four daycare centers were given permission to reopen Monday. The four centers did not have any illnesses linked to the outbreak. The remaining seven will be allowed to reopen Tuesday. Staff and daycare attendees from those seven centers must test negative before returning to any daycare center, according to Alberta Health Services.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has asked the provincial health minister and the provincial minister for children and family services to investigate the outbreak and provide a full assessment of the situation.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA – An E. coli Tragedy – 190 sick, 34 in hospital and 20 with hemolytic uremic syndrome

Posted on September 11, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

According to CTV News, the number of lab-confirmed cases of E. coli climbed again Sunday, rising to 190, stemming from a shared kitchen that 11 Calgary Fueling Brains daycares use but four daycares have reported no E. coli cases at all.

An Alberta Health Services (AHS) spokesperson sent updated figures to CTV News, showing that there are currently 27 patients receiving care in hospital. Seven others have been discharged since the beginning of the outbreak.

The number of patients confirmed to have severe hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) rose to 20 from 19 on Saturday.

“Based on the epidemiology of the cases we’ve seen to date, it is highly likely the source of this outbreak is food that was distributed from the central kitchen,” AHS said. “At this point, AHS has not been able to identify a food item that was the source. We continue to investigate.”

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, Illness, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research – Reoccurring Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strain Linked to Leafy Greens–Associated Outbreaks, 2016–2019

Posted on September 6, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CDC

Abstract

Genomic characterization of an Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain linked to leafy greens–associated outbreaks dates its emergence to late 2015. One clade has notable accessory genomic content and a previously described mutation putatively associated with increased arsenic tolerance. This strain is a reoccurring, emerging, or persistent strain causing illness over an extended period.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA – Five people hospitalized in E. coli O157 outbreak at the University of Arkansas

Posted on August 31, 2023 by | Leave a comment

The Washington Post

Health officials are investigating an outbreak of E. coli food poisoning among students at the University of Arkansas, with dozens reporting symptoms and five people needing treatment in the hospital.

Among those affected are two 19-year-old sorority members who developed a serious complication that can lead to kidney failure after being infected with the E. coli strain O157:H7. That’s according to Bill Marler, a Seattle food safety lawyer who said he reviewed the patients’ medical records after being contacted by the families.

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Posted in Bacterial Toxin, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Toxin, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli, Toxin