Prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Yezo sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) in the Tokachi sub-prefecture of Hokkaido,Japan

In food hygiene, the surveillance of foodborne pathogens in wild animals is indispensable because we cannot control hygienic status of them. Yezo sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis), which are found only on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, are the most common game animal in the country. In this study, we analyzed the incidence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Yezo sika deer hunted in the Tokachi sub-prefecture, which is one of the densest zones for the sub-species. Real-time polymerase chain reaction testing detected STEC in 18.3% of fecal samples (59/323) collected from deer hunted between 2016 and 2017, whereas no Shigella and Salmonella markers were detected. No correlation was found between STEC detection from fecal samples and characteristics of carcasses, such as hunting area, age, and fascioliasis. From 59 STEC-positive fecal samples, we isolated 37 STEC strains, including 34 O- and H-genotyped strains, in which 16 different serogroups were detected. Genetic analysis revealed that our isolates included various stx gene types (stx1⁺/stx2⁻, stx1⁺/stx2⁺, and stx1⁻/stx2⁺) and carried eae. This study demonstrated that STEC strains with various features colonized the Yezo sika deer, similar to other subspecies of sika deer. We conclude that continuous surveillance activity is important to monitor the suitability of game animals as a food source and to assess the validity of the food safety management system for game meat production.     

Clarification of relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphism panels of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7/H- strains

Eighty strains of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7/H- were analyzed by three single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels using whole-genome sequencing data. The partial concordance of SNP types among the different SNP panels was observed on minimum spanning trees reconstructed with SNP data. As for lineage I/II strains, some of the clade 7 strains belonged to one unique SNP type as determined by three panels, suggesting that clade 7 should be divided into at least two genotypes, namely, the unique type and the rest. In addition, clade 8 contained two unique genotypes, which was consistent with the previous prediction. Similarly, for lineage II, clade 12 should be divided into three genotype strains. In contrast, many strains of several clades belonging to lineage I were clustered into the same node on each minimum spanning tree upon testing with the three SNP panels. Previous studies reported that lineage I diverged more recently than lineages I/II and II. Such low diversity in lineage I in this study may have arisen because this lineage has not accumulated SNPs because of its relatively recent divergence. Based on the concordance observed in this study, some of the previously published O157 genotype distribution data were successfully interpreted to clarify the clade distribution, which was well supported by previous literature.     

产志贺毒素大肠杆菌流行病学及主要毒力因子研究进展

产志贺毒素大肠杆菌(Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,STEC) 是一类能引起包括水样腹泻、出血性结肠炎、尿毒综合症等一系列人体疾病的人畜共患肠道致病菌,其感染在世界范围内包括中国都有过暴发流行。文章阐述了STEC O157血清型和非O157血清型的分布特征及流行趋势,同时还对该病的主要毒力因子进行了综述,以期为该病的防控提供科学依据。     

Prevalence and characteristics of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from cattle in Korea between 2010 and 2011

A total of 156 Shiga-like toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) were isolated from fecal samples of Korean native (100/568, 18%) and Holstein dairy cattle (56/524, 11%) in Korea between September 2010 and July 2011. Fifty-two STEC isolates (33%) harbored both of shiga toxin1 (stx1) and shiga toxin2 (stx2) genes encoding enterohemolysin (EhxA) and autoagglutinating adhesion (Saa) were detected by PCR in 83 (53%) and 65 (42%) isolates, respectively. By serotyping, six STEC from native cattle and four STEC from dairy cattle were identified as O-serotypes (O26, O111, O104, and O157) that can cause human disease. Multilocus sequence typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns highlighted the genetic diversity of the STEC strains and difference between strains collected during different years. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that the multidrug resistance rate increased from 12% in 2010 to 42% in 2011. Differences between isolates collected in 2010 and 2011 may have resulted from seasonal variations or large-scale slaughtering in Korea performed to control a foot and mouth disease outbreak that occurred in early 2011. However, continuous epidemiologic studies will be needed to understand mechanisms. More public health efforts are required to minimize STEC infection transmitted via dairy products and the prevalence of these bacteria in dairy cattle.     

新疆部分地区牛羊源产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌菌株检测与分析

产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌（Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,STEC）是一类携带了前噬菌体编码的一种或两种志贺毒素基因的新发高致病性食源性病原菌,已成为威胁人类健康的重要公共卫生问题。为了解新疆部分地区牛、羊源各个环节产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌的感染情况及其遗传多样性,以及分离株对17种常见抗生素的敏感性,笔者采用PCR方法对STEC分离株进行了4种毒力基因（stx1、stx2、eae、hlyA）的检测和ERIC-PCR基因分型研究。结果表明：从屠宰场、养殖场和市场共431份样品中分离出产志贺毒素的大肠埃希菌64株,其中,编码stx1+stx2的STEC有31株（48.4%）,只编码stx1的STEC有29株（45.3%）,只编码stx2的STEC有4株（6.3%）,4种毒力基因同时存在的有1株。药物敏感性检测发现STEC菌株对麦迪霉素（61%）、头孢噻吩（4.7%）、头孢西丁（4.7%）、氨苄西林（3.1%）、哌拉西林（1.6%）、妥布霉素（1.6%）、头孢唑啉（1.6%）等7种抗生素存在耐药。ERIC-PCR检测结果呈多态性分布,分为A（36株）和B（28株）两个簇。STEC菌株在新疆部分地区牛、羊源各个环节被检出,其中一些菌株可能会增加对食物的污染,从而引起人发病。     

Detection and Analysis of Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli Isolates from Cattle and Sheep Sources in Some Regions of Xinjiang,China

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli(STEC) is a new class of highly pathogenic food-borne pathogens carrying a prephage encoding one or two Shiga toxin genes. It has become an important public health issue that threatens human health. The present work aimed to characterize STEC strains isolated from cattle and sheep at various stages, in parts of Xinjiang, in terms of the presence of prevalence, genetic diversity, and antimicrobial susceptibility to 17 common antibiotics. Through amplification of four virulence genes (stx1, stx2, eae, hlyA)by PCR and ERIC-PCR genotyping to detection STEC isolates. In the present study, a total of 64 STEC strains were isolated from 431 samples from slaughterhouses, farms and markets. Of these, 31 (48.4%) of the isolates harbored stx1 + stx2, and only 29 (45.3%) of the isolates possessed stx1, only 4 (6.3%) of the isolates harbored stx2, and 1 isolates harbored all the 4 virulence genes. Drug sensitivity tests found that STEC strains displayed 7 antimicrobial resistance to midecamycin(61%), cephalothin(4.7%), cefoxitin(4.7%), ampicillin(3.1%), piperacillin(1.6%), tobramycin(1.6%), cefazolin(1.6%). The ERIC-PCR results showed a polymorphic distribution, which was divided into two clusters of A (36 strains) and B (28 strains). STEC strains isolated from cattle and sheep at various stages, in parts of Xinjiang, some of which might have the potential to cause food contamination and human diseases.     

新疆牛、羊和骆驼源产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌的系统进化分群、血清群与毒力基因及耐药性分析

旨在了解新疆牛、羊和骆驼源产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌（Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,STEC）的系统进化分群、血清群、毒力基因、耐药性及其遗传多样性,本研究采用PCR方法对牛、羊和骆驼源STEC进行了系统发育分群、血清群和毒力基因stx₁、stx₂（包括亚型）、eaeA、hlyA检测,通过K-B纸片法对分离株进行药物敏感性检测,并对其进行ERIC-PCR基因分型。结果表明：94株非O157 STEC以B1群为主,含9个血清群,包括O146（n=14）、O22（n=7）、O3（n=4）、O168（n=4）、O8（n=3）、O167（n=2）、O88（n=1）、O112ab （n=1）和O147（n=1）。毒力基因检测显示,46.8%（44/94）仅携带stx₁,6.4%（6/94）仅携带stx₂,46.8%（44/94）同时携带stx₁+stx₂。羊源STEC以携带stx₁+hlyA为主（68.0%）;牛源STEC以携带stx₁+stx₂+hlyA为主（57.9%）;骆驼源STEC以携带stx₁+hlyA为主（25.0%）。stx_1a主要分布于牛源STEC,stx_1c主要分布于羊源STEC。14株（14.9%）为耐药菌,对头孢他啶、四环素、头孢噻肟、氨苄西林和氨曲南的耐药率为3.2%~5.3%,对复方新诺明、头孢吡肟、哌拉西林-他唑巴坦、氨苄西林-舒巴坦、阿莫西林-克拉维酸和多黏菌素B的耐药率为1.1%~2.1%。ERIC-PCR结果显示牛、羊和骆驼源STEC亲缘关系较近。牛、羊和骆驼携带多种已知血清群STEC,贮存丰富的毒力基因,存在感染人类的风险,应在屠宰加工过程中予以预防和控制。     

产志贺毒素大肠杆菌的流行病学及致病因子的研究进展简

产志贺毒素大肠杆菌（Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,STEC）是一类危害严重的食源性病原菌,能引起人类的严重疾病,如出血性结肠炎、溶血性尿毒症等,牛、羊等反刍动物是引起人类发病的主要宿主来源。作者总结了产志贺毒素大肠杆菌病的流行病学现状,就产志贺毒素大肠杆菌染色体和毒性质粒上的主要毒力因子的研究进展作一综述。     

1株感染多种致病性大肠杆菌噬菌体的生物学特性研究

旨在测定此前从断奶前仔猪粪样中分离得到的1株大肠杆菌噬菌体C6在致病性大肠杆菌上的生物学特性,并比较该噬菌体在不同致病菌上的感染特性.利用电镜形态观察和基因组测序确定其分类,用点滴法和双层平板法测定其在致病性大肠杆菌上的宿主谱,通过噬菌斑形态、最佳感染复数(MOI)、成斑率(EOP)、吸附率、一步生长曲线以及抑菌曲线等...     

牛源产志贺毒素大肠杆菌分离株的毒力基因分布和遗传进化分析

为了探讨牛源产志贺毒素大肠杆菌（Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,STEC）分离株在毒力基因分布和遗传进化方面与人源EHEC O157菌株之间的关系,本试验选择收集来自江苏某奶牛场的STEC菌株18株以及人源、羊源、猪源、禽源STEC参考菌株9株,参照美国疾病预防控制中心PulseNet推荐的方法,运用XbaⅠ酶进行酶切并完成脉冲肠凝胶电泳（PFGE）分型和聚类分析;同时对部分STEC菌株进行毒力基因检测。结果表明,经毒力基因检测,不同来源的O157菌株毒力基因分布不尽相同,其中牛源STEC O157与参考株EHEC O157∶H7（EDL933W）的基因排谱最为相近;牛源STEC O18和O26的基因排谱与参考株EHEC O157∶H7（EDL933W）类似,但存在部分基因的缺失。对27株不同来源的STEC分离株进行PFGE,产生了22种不同的酶切图谱。总体来看,不同来源的STEC Dice相似性系数在72%~100%之间。牛源O157分离株与猪源及禽源O157菌株的相似度偏低,而与两株人源O157分离株的相似度偏高,Dice相似性系数在83%~95%之间,牛源O26（克隆群Ⅶ、Ⅷ）与人源O157的相似性系数 > 82%。显然,从牛群中分离到的部分STEC菌株与人源EHEC O157具有较近的遗传进化关系。     

Study on the Virulence Gene Distribution and Genetic Evolution of Cattle Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli Isolates

This study was aimed to understand the relationship of virulence gene distribution and genetic evolution between cattle originated Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and human originated enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157. This experiment collected 18 strains STEC in a dairy farm from Jiangsu province and 9 STEC reference strains (human, sheep, swine and avian), according to the method of U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control Center (PulseNet), using the XbaⅠ enzyme digestion and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis, virulence genes were detected in some STEC isolates. The virulence gene distribution of O157 from different origin was remarkably different. The cattle originated STEC O157 and the human originated EHEC O157:H7 (EDL933W) had the most similar virulence gene distribution. In contrast, virulence genes were lack in cattle STEC O18 and O26, even though the cattle STEC O18 and O26 had the similar genotype as human EHEC O157:H7 (EDL933W). PFGE of Xba Ⅰ digested chromosomal DNA from 27 isolates of STEC exhibited 22 profiles. In general,the Dice coefficients of different originated STEC ranged from 72% to 100%.Cattle STEC O157 had a high similarity with two strains of human originated EHEC O157, while a low similarity was demonstrated between cattle STEC O157 and STEC O157 of swine and avian. The Dice coefficients of the cattle STEC O157 and the two strains of human EHEC O157 ranged from 83% to 95%. The Dice coefficients of cattle STEC O26 (Ⅶ,Ⅷ) and the two strains of human EHEC O157 were more than 82%. Therefore, it was concluded that the cattle STEC O157 and human EHEC O157 had a closer relationship in terms of virulence gene distribution and in genetic evolution.     

Activatable Shiga toxin 2d (Stx2d) in STEC strains isolated from cattle and sheep at slaughter

Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) harbouring the stx(2d-activatable) gene and expressing the mucus- and elastase-activatable phenotype have been associated with severe outcomes of human disease. However, there is limited data available on the occurrence of such strains in livestock reservoirs. In this study, we analyzed 11 STEC strains isolated from healthy cattle and sheep at slaughter that were originally detected to contain the stx(2c) allele, for the presence of the stx(2d-activatable) genotype. Ten of the eleven strains displayed the stx(2d-activatable) genotype as determine by PstI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of 890-bp fragments of their stx genes. However, only in 6 of the 10 strains whose stx genes were sequenced, the presence of stx(2d-activatable) could be confirmed based on the predicted amino acid sequence of their StxA subunits; the remaining four strains contained Stx2c A subunit. Five of the six strains which contained stx(2d-activatable) displayed the activatable phenotype on Vero cells. Genes for adhesins such as the outer membrane protein intimin (eae), which is essential for the intimate attachment and the formation of attaching-and-effacing lesions on intestinal epithelial cells, or the STEC autoagglutinating adhesin (saa), potentially important in eae-negative STEC, were not detected. Moreover, all the strains tested negative for EHEC-hlyA encoding enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) hemolysin. To our knowledge, this is the first study that reports the presence of STEC harbouring stx(2d-activatable) and producing the activatable Stx2d in fecal samples of sheep. Therefore both cattle and sheep are reservoirs of such strains and potential sources of human infections. This is of particular importance, because in contrast to other eae-negative STEC, strains producing Stx2d(activatable) may cause severe diseases such as bloody diarrhoea and haemolytic uremic syndrome in humans.     

Shiga toxin 2eB‐transgenic lettuce vaccine is effective in protecting weaned piglets from edema disease caused by Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli infection

Porcine edema disease (ED) is a toxemia that is caused by enteric infection with Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e)‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and is associated with high mortality. Since ED occurs most frequently during the weaning period, preweaning vaccination of newborn piglets is required. We developed stx2eB‐transgenic lettuce as an oral vaccine candidate against ED and examined its protective efficacy using a piglet STEC infection model. Two serially developed Stx2eB‐lettuce strains, 2BN containing ingredient Stx2eB constituting a concentration level of 0.53 mg Stx2eB/g of powdered lettuce dry weight (DW) and 2BH containing ingredient Stx2eB constituting a concentration level of 2.3 mg of Stx2eB/g of powdered lettuce DW, were evaluated in three sequential experiments. Taken the results together, oral administration of Stx2eB‐lettuce vaccine was suggested to relieve the pathogenic symptoms of ED in piglets challenged with virulent STEC strain. Our data suggested that Stx2eB‐lettuce is a promising first oral vaccine candidate against ED.     

江苏某奶牛场健康奶牛体内产志贺毒素大肠杆菌的分离鉴定及其对小鼠致病性的研究

通过对江苏省某奶牛场连续6个月的定群、定畜跟踪调查,获得产志贺毒素大肠杆菌(STEC)在该牛场分布的广泛性、持续性和血清型多样化的资料,并对一些重要血清型分离株作致病性的鉴定.基于本实验室已经建立的多重PCR方法对stx1、stx2、eaeA、ehxA共4个基因进行检测,对检测出的阳性样品,非O157 STEC采用多重PCR结合CT-SMAC平板的分离方法,而O157 STEC通过免疫磁珠结合O157显色平板的分离方法.结果表明,该奶牛场STEC的初筛率为16.1%(112/696),分离率为11.1%(77/696).分离株属于35种O血清型和60种O:H血清型.该场的优势血清型为O4、O26和O93,O157在该场存在,但并非优势血清型.77个分离株中,stx2基因的检出率为68.8%,远远高于其它毒力基因,如stx1(19.5%)、eaeA(11.7%1)和ehxA(20.8%).该场分离到一些O157和O26血清型的菌株,对小鼠具有较强的致病性.奶牛是STEC的天然宿主,可健康带菌.除了O157STEC外,非O157 STEC中一些高致病力菌株对人类的健康也存在威胁.     

Genetic Variations in Shiga Toxin‐Producing Abilities of Bovine and Human Escherichia coli O157:H7

Cattle are a primary reservoir of Escherichia coli O157:H7, a major foodborne pathogen. The organism causes haemorrhagic colitis which can lead to serious complications, including haemolytic–uraemic syndrome. Although E. coli O157:H7 is widely prevalent in cattle and cattle environments, the number of human cases remain relatively low, suggesting possible strain diversity and differences in virulence between human and bovine strains. Shiga toxins, Stx1 and Stx2, are the major virulence factors. Differences in Stx2 production between human and bovine strains have been demonstrated previously, and isolates possessing the stx₂ gene, but not producing Stx2 [toxin non‐producing (TNP) strains] have been identified. In this study, 150 isolates (56 human, 94 bovine) were tested by PCR for stx2 upstream regions associated with TNP and the Q933 gene, which has been previously associated with toxin production. A reverse passive latex agglutination test was used to evaluate 107 isolates (50 human, 57 bovine) for Stx1 and Stx2 production. The percentages of human and bovine isolates positive for presence of the TNP regions were similar (57.1% and 53.1% respectively), while a higher percentage of human isolates was positive for Q933 gene (89.3% versus 54.3%). Stx2 production of ≥1 : 8 was found in 86.0% of human isolates compared with 26.3% of bovine isolates. Bovine isolates with the presence of the TNP regions were associated with significantly lower Stx2 production (P < 0.05), while the Q933 gene was associated with higher Stx2 production (P < 0.05). However, the presence of the TNP region was not associated (P > 0.05) with low Stx2 production in human isolates. Therefore, Q933 was a better indicator of high Stx2 production by human and bovine isolates and may be a useful screening method to assess their potential to cause human disease.     

牦牛产志贺毒素大肠杆菌主要黏附因子相关基因的分子流行病学调查

为了解中国牦牛产志贺毒素的大肠杆菌(Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, STEC)中主要黏附因子的流行情况,采用PCR方法对来自四川甘孜阿坝等地区健康牦牛的70株STEC的eae、saa、iha 3种与黏附相关的毒力基因进行检测,并对部分含有相关黏附因子的阳性分离株的毒力基因进行了克隆及序列分析。结果显示,牦牛STEC中saa、iha的阳性率分别为71.42%(50/70)和78.57%(55/70),无eae基因序列(0/70),saa、iha的测序结果与GenBank上序列的同源性分别为100%和93%~99%。健康牦牛分离的STEC无LEE毒力岛编码eae,其他的一些与黏附相关的主要毒力基因saa、iha的携带率较高。     

猪水肿病大肠杆菌贵州分离株毒素Stx2e对Vero细胞的毒性作用

猪水肿病毒素即Ⅱ型志贺毒素变异体e亚型(Shiga toxin 2e,Stx2e)。采用吖啶橙/溴化乙锭(AO/EB)双荧光染色法和四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)比色法,比较了从患水肿病猪粪便样品中分离的28株大肠杆菌所产志贺毒素对Vero细胞的毒性作用。结果显示,MTT比色法检测的细胞比活力与AO/EB染色法检测的正常细胞与早期凋亡细胞比率之和呈正相关。将28株菌株产生的Stx2e作用于Vero细胞,均能抑制Vero细胞的生长,并诱导Vero细胞的凋亡;其中8株病原菌所产Stx2e毒素对Vero细胞的毒性作用强于O157∶H7。这些毒素的毒力差异可能与其A亚基基因的结构变异有关。结果提示,贵州分离的产Stx2e大肠杆菌的毒力存在一定差异,其中部分菌株的毒力作用较强,应加强对养殖场仔猪的保护。     

Application of a real-time PCR-based system for monitoring of O26, O103, O111, O145 and O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in cattle at slaughter

Faecal samples were collected from 573 slaughtered cattle aged between three and 24 months in seven abattoirs. After enrichment (mTSB with novobiocin), samples were screened by real‐time PCR first for stx and if positive, tested for the top‐five Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroups using PCR assays targeting genes specific for serogroups O26, O103, O111, O145 and O157. Of 563 samples with available results, 74.1% tested positive for stx genes. Amongst them, the serogroups O145, O103, O26, O157 and O111 were detected in 41.9%, 25.9%, 23.9%, 7.8% and 0.8%, respectively. From 95 O26, 166 O145 and 30 O157 PCR‐positive samples, 17 O26, 28 O145 and 12 O157 strains were isolated by colony hybridization after immunomagnetic separation. The 17 O26 strains were eae‐positive, but only nine strains harboured stx (eight possessing stx1 and one stx2). Of the 28 O145 strains, ten were eae‐positive including four harbouring stx1 or stx2, whereas 18 were negative for stx and eae. Five of the 12 O157 strains harboured stx2 and eae, did not ferment sorbitol, and were identified as STEC O157:H7/H^?. The other seven O157 strains were negative for stx and eae or positive only for eae. Shiga toxin genes and the top‐five STEC serogroups were frequently found in young Swiss cattle at slaughter, but success rates for strain isolation were low and only few strains showed a virulence pattern of human pathogenic STEC.     

Occurrence and characterization of verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) strains from dairy farms in Trinidad

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and characteristics of verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) on 25 dairy farms each located in Waller field and Carlsen field farming areas in Trinidad. On each selected farm, faecal samples were collected from milking cows, calves and humans; rectal swabs were obtained from pet farm dogs; bulk milk was sampled as well as effluent from the milking parlour. Escherichia coli was isolated from all sources on selective media using standard methods. Isolates of E. coli were subjected to slide agglutination test using E. coli O157 antiserum, vero cell cytotoxicity assay to detect verocytotoxin (VT) and heat labile toxin (LT) production, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect VT genes, and the dry spot test to screen for E. coli O157 and non-O157 strains. In addition, faecal samples from animal and human sources were tested for VT genes using PCR. Of a total of 933 E. coli isolates tested by the slide test, eight (0.9%) were positive for the O157 strain. The vero cell cytotoxicity assay detected VT-producing strains of E. coli in 16.6%, 14.6%, 3.2% and 7.1% of isolates from cows, calves, farm dogs and humans respectively (P < 0.05; chi(2)). For LT production, the highest frequency was detected amongst isolates of E. coli from calves (10.8%) and the lowest (0.0%) amongst isolates from humans and bulk milk (P < 0.05; chi(2)). Of the 61 VT-producing isolates by vero cell cytotoxicity assay tested by PCR, the VT, LT and eae genes were detected in 62.3%, 4.9% and 1.6% respectively (P < 0.05; chi(2)). Amongst the 45 E. coli isolates that were VT positive (vero cell) or VT-gene positive by PCR, 2.2%, 2.2%, 4.4% and 6.7% belonged to non-O157 strains O91, O111, O103 and O157, respectively, as determined by the Dry spot test. Detection of VTEC strains in milk and dairy animals poses a health risk to consumers of milk originating from these farms. In addition, the demonstration of VTEC strains in humans, VT gene in faecal samples and E. coli isolates as well as non-O157 VTEC strains of E. coli are being documented for the first time in the country.