Identification and Characterizations of Shiga Toxin-producing E.coli Isolated from Meat-contact Surfaces

Introduction: Shiga Toxinproducing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important organism known as an emerging zoonotic microorganism causing diseases such as hemorrhagic colitis and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) as well as thrombotic thrombocytopenia in humans. This study aimed to determine the contamination of meatcontact surfaces to STEC and the characterization of the virulence genes of the isolates. Materials and Methods: Totally, 111 swab samples were obtained from meatcontact surfaces in slaughterhouses and meat supply centers for 6 months. After the primary enrichment and cultivation on EMB and SMAC environments, sorbitol negative colonies were transferred to differential media and confirmed by specific tests as Escherichia coli. Suspected colonies were evaluated by PCR method to determine the existence of serotype O157: H7and virulence genes such as Stx1, Stx2, eae, and Hly. Results: E. coli O157 was detected in 14 samples (12.61%), and only 2 isolates (1.8%) were identified as E.coli O157: H7. In PCR, 4 isolates contained Stx1, Stx2, and Hly genes, 2 isolates contained Stx1, eae and Hly genes, 3 isolates contained Stx1 and Hly genes, 1 isolate contained Stx2 and eae genes, 3 isolates contained the Hly gene and 1 isolate did not have any of the virulence genes. Discussion and Conclusion: Concerning the possibility of the transmission of pathogens such as E.coli O157: H7from contaminated surfaces to carcasses and healthy meat, the lack of attention to the health and care of slaughterhouses and meat supply centers can be concerns for the public health.