Longitudinal Patterns of Fecal Shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by Feedlot Cattle

Authors

Spring Younts, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
David R. Smith, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jeffrey Folmer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Rodney A. Moxley, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Suzanne Hinkley, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jeff Gray, USDA, ARS, ARRU, Athens, Ga.
Laura Hungerford, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Margaret Khaitsa, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

January 2002

Comments

Published in 2002 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2001 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

To describe the prevalence, incidence, and duration of fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7, 99 feedlot steers were individually tested each week of the feeding period for presence of E. coli O157:H7 in rectal feces. E. coli O157:H7 was recovered from each animal at least once during the study. Both the incidence and mean duration of shedding peaked during the middle of the feeding period. The percentage of cattle shedding E. coli O157:H7 ranged from 1% to 80% over the course of the feeding period and was affected by both the incidence and the duration of shedding.