Swine as a Potential Reservoir of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli O157:H7 in Japan
Author Information
Author(s): Muneo Nakazawa, Masato Akiba, Toshiya Sameshima
Primary Institution: National Institute of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Hypothesis
Are pigs a potential reservoir of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Japan?
Conclusion
Pigs in Japan can carry Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7, suggesting they may be a reservoir for this pathogen.
Supporting Evidence
- Three strains of E. coli O157:H7 were isolated from healthy pigs.
- The carriage rate of STEC O157:H7 in pigs was 1.4%, similar to that in cattle in Japan.
- The strains from pigs had the same biochemical and genetic markers as those from cattle and humans.
Takeaway
Some pigs in Japan can carry a germ that can make people sick, so we need to be careful with pork.
Methodology
Rectal swabs were taken from 221 healthy pigs, and samples were tested for the presence of E. coli O157:H7 using various microbiological methods.
Limitations
The sample size was too small to allow comparisons between farms.
Participant Demographics
221 healthy pigs from 35 randomly selected farms in Japan.
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