Risk factors in beef cattle for terminal rectal mucosa colonization of Escherichia coli 0157:H7
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20143700Keywords:
Escherichia coli, E. coli, terminal rectal mucosa, TRM, health, performance characteristicsAbstract
Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (STEC 0157) is an important foodborne pathogen of humans. Cattle are sub-clinically colonized with STEC 0157 at the terminal rectal mucosa (TRM). Live cattle serve as an important reservoir for human exposure, but it is unknown if health or performance characteristics of cattle predict their risk for colonization. Our objective was to test if disease during the finishing phase, growth performance, or carcass quality measurements at harvest increased the odds of E. coli TRM colonization at the time of slaughter.