Isolation and characterisation of Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) serotype O157:H7 from Scottish sheep

JYN Nale, MK Henry, Giles Innocent, CA Webster, J Evans, Shannon Proctor, Lesley Allison, Anne Holmes, NH Holden, SC Tongue

Research output: Contribution to conferencePosterpeer-review

Abstract

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serotype O157:H7 is a priority zoonotic pathogen which, in humans causes gastrointestinal infections, haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uremic syndrome. Scotland has more human cases per head of population than any other part of the United Kingdom. Previous studies have demonstrated how strains from cattle, wild deer and fresh beef mince on retail sale in Scotland relate to Scottish human clinical cases. Here, we examined another important Scottish livestock ruminant species, sheep, to identify the diversity of STEC strains they carry. To do this, 875 faecal samples were collected from Scottish sheep during 2022/23; some were collected from the environment during the periparturient period and others collected post-mortem, at abattoirs. STEC was isolated from the samples using enrichment procedures and immunomagnetic separation followed by recovery on CT-SMAC and Chromocult coliform media. Fourteen of the samples each yielded a single presumptive STEC O157 isolate with thirteen from abattoir faecal samples and a single isolate from the field flocks. The isolates were confirmed using an agglutination test that targets the STEC O157 lipopolysaccharide and by whole genome sequencing. Genome analyses showed that all the isolates are STEC O157:H7, ST11 and encode the eae and stx genes (except one isolate which lacked the stx genes). Genotyping and phylogenetic analyses revealed that all the isolates cluster closely with human isolates. Our data supports the carriage of STEC O157:H7 among Scottish sheep and the genomic relationship of the isolates with those from humans suggest a potential for inter-host transmission.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPrint publication - 8 Apr 2024
EventMicrobiology Society Annual Conference 2024 - Edinburgh International Convention Centre., Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Duration: 8 Apr 202411 Apr 2024
https://microbiologysociety.org/event/annual-conference/annual-conference-2024.html#tab-0

Conference

ConferenceMicrobiology Society Annual Conference 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityEdinburgh
Period8/04/2411/04/24
Internet address

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Isolation and characterisation of Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) serotype O157:H7 from Scottish sheep'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this