Differences in Fecal Bacterial Community Composition Between Beef Steers which are High-Shedders and Low-Shedders of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC)

Authors

Nirosh D. Aluthge, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Yoshitha A. Wanniarachchi, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Cody J. Schneider, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Samodha C. Fernando, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2014

Citation

2014 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, UNL Extension MP99, pp. 101-102.

Comments

Copyright © 2014 University of Nebraska.

Abstract

The community composition of the fecal microbiota was compared between beef steers which were high-shedders and low-shedders of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. Based on Shannon and Chao 1 diversity indices, the high-shedders had a more diverse fecal bacterial community than the low-shedding steers. Members of the genus Prevotella were observed as being more abundant in the low-shedders compared to the high-shedders, while Succinivibrio were more abundant in the high-shedders. Isolation of specific bacteria which are significantly more abundant in low-shedders may pave the way to developing direct-fed microbials which are effective in reducing STEC shedding among high-shedding beef steers.