Research of the virulence factors and serotypes in Escherichia coli isolated from cohabitant animals in dairy farms

Abstract

Escherichia coli is a bacteria present in both animal's and human's gastrointestinal tracts. E. coli has commensal and pathogenic agents, and the ratio of these bacteria with the host allows the classification of these strains as reservoirs of resistance. One example is the vt gene. It codifies the production of verotoxin, responsible for Hemorrhagic Colitis (HC) and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). These diseases are caused by ingestion of bovine products and sub-products like raw meat or milk and normally can be seen in young animals and humans but are silent in older animals. Besides that, E. coli can be the bearer for other types of virulence factors that affect man directly. Given the medical and veterinary importance in knowing virulence factors and the contamination possibilities through ingestion of raw sub-products or contact with feces, this study proposes the isolation of E. coli in feces samples from domestic animals (cows, calves, dogs, etc) apparently healthy, cohabitant in farms and detection of virulence and serotype factors associated with bovine and human colibacillosis. (AU)