PREVALENCE OF E. coli O157:H7 ISOLATED FROM HUMAN AND ANIMAL SOURCE IN KIRIKKALE PROVINCE

Objective: Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain is a cause of hemorrhagic colitis and may give rise to severe outbreaks even at a low concentration. Transmission may occur through fecal-oral route with contaminated food but direct transmission from personal contact is also possible. Presence of E. coli O157:H7 was investigated in humans, cattle, animal feed, and ground beef over a one-year year period in order to determine the prevalence in the K？r？kkale region. Material and Methods: All samples were transferred to the microbiology laboratory as rapidly as possible under appropriate and sterile conditions. The isolation of E. coli O157:H7 was performed by serotyping with Dynabeads and ELISA methods in stool specimens in 89 patients with gastroenteritis, 108 cattle, 69 different animal broth samples, and 84 samples from ground beef after culture using classical methods. Minced meat samples were kept at -70 degrees until working tests. Results: E. coli O157:H7 was not detected in humans or animals or sources including animal feed and beef carcasses. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the meat chain from cattle to humans is safe with respect to the E. coli O157:H7 strain. On the other hand, other food or water sources may be potential sources for this microorganism