Prevalence of verocytotoxin-producing E.coli (VTEC) in sheep, meat at slaughterhouse

"Sheep play important roles in the spread of pathogenic Escherichia coli that can cause severe diseases in. humans. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli. (VTEC) in various samples from Sarda sheep using a molecular screening test and to define the virulence. profiles of isolates using multiplex PCR. A total of 380 different ovine samples (fleece, carcass surface,. and mucosal gut) were analyzed by direct PCR screening for the presence of stx 1 e stx 2 genes. Virulence. factors (stx 1, stx 2, and eae) from the strains, isolated by immunomagnetic separation (IMS)-based. cultivation techniques (e.g., CT-SMAC, CT-RMAC, and EHLY agar), were determined by multiplex PCR.. An overall prevalence of 11.1% (adults 14%, lambs 7.8%) was found by direct PCR. VTEC occurrence. was 18.9% in fleece, 14.7% on carcasses, and 10.5% in mucosal gut. According to the multiplex-PCR. results, the following values were obtained: 43.4% VTEC (stx 1 , stx 2 , stx 1 + stx 2 , stx 2 + eae, and stx 1. + stx 2 + eae), 30.3% EPEC (stx 1 –\/stx 2 –\/eae+), and 26.4% negative for all genes examined (stx 1 –, stx 2. –, eae–)."