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Survival of Escherichia coli O157 in faeces of experimentally infected rats and domestic pigeons
Author(s) -
Ĉížek A.,
Literák I.,
Scheer P.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2000.00820.x
Subject(s) - escherichia coli , feces , biology , enterobacteriaceae , microbiology and biotechnology , pathogen , bacteria , colony forming unit , zoology , veterinary medicine , medicine , biochemistry , genetics , gene
In order to evaluate the role of some synanthropic animals in the spreading of Escherichia coli O157, laboratory rats and domestic pigeons were experimentally infected per os with E. coli O157. Rats infected with 10 5 colony forming units (cfu) ( n = 5) and 10 9 cfu ( n = 5) shed E. coli O157 for 2 ± 1·7 d and 9·8 ± 1·3 d, respectively. In the faeces of infected rats stored at 4 °C in a moist environment, at 4 °C in a dry environment or at 20 °C in a moist environment, E. coli O157 survived for 34 weeks. When stored at 20 °C or − 20 °C in a dry environment, E. coli O157 survived for ≥ 36 weeks. Pigeons infected with 10 5 cfu ( n = 5) and 10 9 cfu ( n = 5) shed the pathogen for 14·8 ± 3·4 d and 20·2 ± 5·2 d, respectively. Both species, rats and pigeons can be important in spreading of the E. coli O157 infection in cattle.