Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and STEC-Associated Virulence Genes in Raw Ground Pork in Canada

Isolation and molecular characterization of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from bovine and porcine carcasses in Poland during 2019-2023 and comparison with strains from years 2014-2018

The presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) on bovine and porcine carcasses during 2019-2023 was investigated. A total of 368 bovine and 87 porcine carcasses were tested using the ISO/TS 13136 standard and the STEC isolates were further characterized with whole genomic sequencing (WGS). It was found that 119 (32.3 %) of bovine and 14 (16.1 %) of porcine carcasses were positive for the stx Shiga toxin gene. Further analysis of the stx-positive samples allowed to isolate 32 (26.9 %) bovine and two (14.3 %) porcine STEC, respectively. Bovine isolates were classified into 21 different serotypes with the most prevalent O168:H8 (3 isolates), whereas two porcine STEC belonged to two serotypes that were not identified in bovine strains. Isolates of bovine carcass origin were mainly positive for the stx2 Shiga toxin gene, either alone or in combination with stx1 type (26 of 32; 81.2 % isolates). Two STEC from porcine carcasses were positive for the stx2e variant only. All STEC, irrespective of the origin, were negative for the eae intimin gene. MLST and cgMLST analyses of all strains tested revealed that they were diverse. However, a close molecular relationship between some bovine isolates based on cgMLST schemes was observed. Comparison of the current bovine STEC with those isolated between 2014 and 2018 showed that some of them consisted of the same MLST sequence types. However, based on cgMLST analysis only two cases of three genomes of STEC isolates each (two from period 2019-2023 and one isolated between 2014 and 2018) revealed up to 50 allelic differences.

A Successful Approach to Diagnosing Shiga-like Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli-Induced Colitis

Shiga-like toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a well-known cause of foodborne acute diarrheic diseases, especially in children and the elderly. The potentially fatal complications associated with toxin production range from bloody diarrhea and ischemic colitis to kidney failure, hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), and colon perforation. Here, we describe a case and literature review of STEC-induced colitis, highlighting the clinical features and the necessary tools for the best diagnostic approach and management. Facing challenging differential diagnosis, ranging from ischemic colitis and inflammatory bowel disease to infectious processes due to a pathogenic or opportunistic agent, we conducted a step-by-step exploration. Following bacteriological investigation, imagistic screening, and colonoscopy, we ruled out some of the initial suppositions and reached a final diagnosis, while also considering the pathological results. Although antibiotics are not indicated in this pathology, our patient did receive antibiotics, given the risk of translocation and colon perforation, without any associated complications such as HUS or peritonitis. Detailed and rigorous investigations conducted by a multi-specialty team are required for prompt medical support. Coping with the symptoms and refraining from further complications are the mainstem aims of treatment.

Validation of competition and dynamic models for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) growth in raw ground pork during temperature abuse

Epidemiological evidence suggests that pork products may be a vehicle for STEC transmission to humans. This study was conducted to validate competition and dynamic models for the growth of STEC during simulated temperature abuse of raw ground pork. Maximum specific growth rates μmax were modeled as a function of temperature using the Cardinal parameter equation, and a dynamic model was validated using sinusoidal temperature profiles. The Acceptable Prediction Zone (APZ) method was used to evaluate the model's performance. The competition model was well fitted to the experimental data having 93% (1849/1981) residual errors within the desired APZ. Growth rates were not different between STEC O157 and non-O157; however, serogroup O91 showed two to three times lower μmax than other STEC at 10, 25, and 30 °C. The theoretical minimum and optimum growth temperature for all STEC groups ranged from 3.4 to 7.8 °C and 33-35 °C, respectively. The dynamic model showed good prediction performance (pAPZ = 0.98) with the experimental data. These results can be used to inform risk assessment models and to support the implementation of risk mitigation strategies to improve the microbiological safety of raw pork products.

Epidemiological Characterization of Isolates of Salmonella enterica and Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli from Backyard Production System Animals in the Valparaíso and Metropolitana Regions

Backyard production systems (BPS) are distributed worldwide, rearing animals recognized as reservoirs of Salmonella enterica and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), both zoonotic pathogens. The aim of this study was to characterize isolates of both pathogens obtained from animals raised in BPS from two central Chile regions. The presence of pathogens was determined by bacterial culture and confirmatory PCR for each sampled BPS, calculating positivity rates. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine risk factors. Additionally, phenotypic antimicrobial resistance was determined. A positivity rate of 2.88% for S. enterica and 14.39% for STEC was determined for the complete study region (Valparaíso and Metropolitana regions). Risk factor analysis suggests that the presence of ruminants (OR = 1.03; 95% CI = 1.002-1.075) increases the risk of STEC-positive BPS, and the presence of ruminants (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.002-1.075) and the animal handlers being exclusively women (OR = 3.54; 95% CI = 1.029-12.193) increase the risk for S. enterica/STEC positivity. Eighty percent of S. enterica isolates were multidrug resistant, and all STEC were resistant to Cephalexin. This study evidences the circulation of multidrug-resistant zoonotic bacterial strains in animals kept in BPS and the presence of factors that modify the risk of BPS positivity for both pathogens.

Prevalence of Escherichia coli generic and pathogenic in pork meat: systematic review and meta-analysis

This research aimed to analyze scientific information regarding the prevalence of generic and pathogenic E. coli in the production and supply chain of pork meat, considering different types of samples, places of sampling, and pathotypes using a systematic review and meta-analysis tools. The meta-analysis for the prevalence of generic and pathogenic E. coli was conducted by estimating the effects within subgroups. Data subsets were analyzed using the DerSimonian-Laird method for binary random effects. The average prevalence of generic E. coli in different types of pork meat samples was determined to be 35.6% (95% CI 19.3-51.8), with no significant differences observed between pork meat and carcasses. Conversely, the average prevalence of E. coli pathotypes in samples related to the supply chain of pork meat was found to be 4.7% (95% CI 3.7-5.7). In conclusion, these findings suggest the possibility of establishing an objective threshold for E. coli prevalence as a benchmark for comparison within the meat industry. By utilizing this data, it becomes possible to propose a standardized limit that can serve as a reference point for evaluating and improving processes in the industry.

Comparative genomic and phenotypic analyses of the virulence potential in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O121:H7 and O121:H10

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O121 is among the top six non-O157 serogroups that are most frequently associated with severe disease in humans. While O121:H19 is predominant, other O121 serotypes have been frequently isolated from environmental samples, but their virulence repertoire is poorly characterized. Here, we sequenced the complete genomes of two animal isolates belonging to O121:H7 and O121:H10 and performed comparative genomic analysis with O121:H19 to assess their virulence potential. Both O121:H7 and O121:H10 strains carry a genome comparable in size with the O121:H19 genomes and belong to phylogroup B1. However, both strains appear to have evolved from a different lineage than the O121:H19 strains according to the core genes-based phylogeny and Multi Locus Sequence Typing. A systematic search of over 300 E. coli virulence genes listed in the Virulence Factor DataBase revealed a total of 73 and 71 in O121:H7 and O121:H10 strains, respectively, in comparison with an average of 135 in the O121:H19 strains. This variation in the virulence genes repertoire was mainly attributed to the reduction in the number of genes related to the Type III Secretion System in the O121:H7 and O121:H10 strains. Compared to the O121:H19 strains, the O121:H7 strain carries more adherence and toxin genes while the O121:H10 strain carries more genes related to the Type VI Secretion System. Although both O121:H7 and O121:H10 strains carry the large virulence plasmid pEHEC, they do not harbor all pEHEC virulence genes in O121:H19. Furthermore, unlike the O121:H19 strains, neither the O121:H7 nor O121:H10 strain carried the Locus of Enterocyte Effacement, OI-122, nor the tellurite resistance island. Although an incomplete Locus of Adhesion and Autoaggregation (LAA) was identified in the O121:H7 and O121:H10 strains, a limited number of virulence genes were present. Consistently, both O121:H7 and O121:H10 strains displayed significant reduced cytotoxicity than either the O157:H7 strain EDL933 or the O121:H19 strain RM8352. In fact, the O121:H7 strain RM8082 appeared to cause minimal cytotoxicity to Vero cells. Our study demonstrated distinct evolutionary lineages among the strains of serotypes O121:H19, O121:H10, and O121:H7 and suggested reduced virulence potentials in STEC strains of O121:H10 and O121:H7.

A review of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) contamination in the raw pork production chain

Epidemiological evidence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections associated with the consumption of contaminated pork highlight the need for increased awareness of STEC as an emerging pathogen in the pork supply chain. The objective of this review is to contribute to our understanding of raw pork products as potential carriers of STEC into the food supply. We summarize and critically analyze primary literature reporting the prevalence of STEC in the raw pork production chain. The reported prevalence rate of stx-positive E. coli isolates in live swine, slaughtered swine, and retail pork samples around the world ranged from 4.4 % (22/500) to 68.3 % (82/120), 22 % (309/1395) to 86.3 % (69/80), and 0.10 % (1/1167) to 80 % (32/40), respectively, depending upon the sample categories, detection methods, and the hygiene condition of the slaughterhouses and retail markets. In retail pork, serogroup O26 was prevalent in the U.S., Europe, and Africa. Serogroup O121 was only reported in the U.S. Furthermore, serogroup O91 was reported in the U.S., Asia, and South American retail pork samples. The most common virulence gene combination in retail pork around the globe were as follows: the U.S.: serogroup O157 + stx, non-O157 + stx, unknown serogroups+stx + eae; Europe: unknown serogroups+(stx + eae, stx₂ + eae, or stx₁ + stx₂ + eae); Asia: O157 + stx₁ + stx₂ + ehxA, Unknown+stx₁ + eaeA + ehxA, or only eae; Africa: O157 + stx₂ + eae + ehxA. STEC strains derived from retail pork in the U.S. fall under low to moderate risk categories capable of causing human disease, thus indicating the need for adequate cooking and prevention of cross contamination to minimize infection risk in humans.