Research Looks at How E. coli Attaches to Cattle Guts
Research out of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has discovered key gene and chemical interactions that allow Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 bacteria to colonize the gut of cattle, a problem because cattle manure contaminated with E. coli can contaminated thousands of pounds of ground beef or a crop of leafy greens (cross contamination).
The researchers, including USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) animal scientist Thomas S. Edrington, reported how the E. coli sense a key chemical that plays a critical role in allowing the bacteria to colonize inside the cattle’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
To proliferate, E. coli express genes differently based on their environment, such as outside the cattle host, inside the cattle rumen, or even at the end of the cattle GI tract. Having a better understanding of when, why and how these bacteria colonize could lead to practical applications in the future, according to Edrington.
The researchers showed that “quorum sensing” chemicals called acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), which are produced by other bacteria, are present within the bovine rumen but absent in other areas of the cattle GI tract. AHLs are important because E. coli harbor a regulator, called SdiA, which senses these AHLs and then prompts the E. coli to attach and colonize.
The research suggests that limiting production of the SdiA chemical, or blocking bacterial reception of the AHLs, may eventually lead to new strategies for keeping E. coli from attaching inside the animal.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was conducted at the University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, campus. It involved researchers from several universities and was headed by Vanessa Sperandio, who is with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas.
Researchers Outsmart E. coli with Cockroach Brains
Certain strains of E. coli have become multi-drug resistant “super bugs” and a threat to human health. But these super-strength E. coli have met their match in the indestructible cockroach.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science have discovered that certain tissues in cockroach brains are able to kill more than 90 per cent of pathogenic Escherichia coli without harming human cells. Other bacteria, such as multi-drug resistant MRSA are also annihilated by cockroach brains.
The research has identified up to nine different molecules in the insect tissues that were toxic to bacteria.
E. coli in Drinking Water at New Jersey Amusement Park
Drinking water at Land of Make Believe amusement park in Hope Township, New Jersey has tested positive for E. coli bacteria, according to local news outlets. The park will undergo plumbing repairs and water use restrictions, Warren County Health Officer Peter Summers told news sources. Over 50 years old, the park will remain open and Summers says the facilities are safe for visitors. The pool water has not tested positive for E. coli, the harmful pathogen that can cause serious illness if ingested, especially in children and the elderly.
“With the temporary measures [the amusement park] put in place, it’s safe for them to operate,” Summers said.
According to the news report, Warren County officials found out in late July that one of five drinking water samples taken from the park had tested positive for E. coli. Visitors are being instructed not to drink the water. Plumbing repairs have finished and the park’s drinking water will be tested again this week. So long as the park is taking steps to remedy the issue, no fines will be imposed. News reports cited that the Land of Make Believe did receive a violation in 2009 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for “unpermitted discharge to ground or surface water from a septic system.”
Source:
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1282104315245270.xml&coll=3
E. coli in Water Supply Prompts Advisory in New York Community
Residents of Green Acres Mobile Home Park in Hornellsville, New York will have to boil their water as a precaution against E. coli contamination, according to local news sources. The Steuben County Department of Public Health and Nursing Services issued the advisory this weekend after some of the park’s water tested positive for E. coli, which is a harmful pathogen that can cause serious health effects, especially to the elderly and children.
“Over the weekend, the health department did some testing and they did find E. coli in one portion of the park,” town supervisor Ken Isaman said. “They also discovered that not only is city water being used there, but one of the old wells is serving the park. But those wells were supposed to be discontinued when they started using city water … The whole park is under a boil water advisory.”
Underground piping may have leaks or be failing, Isaman told news sources, and there are repairs that need to be made by the trailer park operator and a whole new infrastructure will have to be put in place in the community of about 50 residents. Water tests indicated a lack of chlorine in the park’s water supply, meaning that well water, which shouldn’t have been used, was being used in place of city water, Isaman said.
E. coli Well Water Contamination
Elliot Olsen, an E. coli attorney has represented people sickened by E. coli contaminated well water. “Our client was a family living in a rental property in rural Iowa when their toddler became sick with E. coli from the property’s contaminated well water,” Olsen said. “She then developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, or E. coli HUS, and had to undergo extensive medical treatment. The effects of contaminated water can be just as serious as the effects of food poisoning, and well owners and operators need to understand that.”
Source:
http://www.eveningtribune.com/topstories/x2092794659/E-Coli-found-at-Green-Acres-trailer-park
USDA-FSIS Proposed Rule Redefines the Eight-Hour Workday for Inspection Program Personnel
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) has announced a proposed rule that would redefine the eight-hour workday for inspection program personnel at federally inspected meat and poultry slaughter establishments. Under the proposed regulation, it would include time needed at the workplace to put on, or “don,” and take off, or “doff,” required gear, time spent walking to work stations after donning required gear, and time spent walking from work stations before doffing required gear.
Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act, FSIS provides mandatory federal inspection of meat and meat food products, poultry products, and processed egg products. FSIS bears the cost of mandatory inspection provided during non-overtime and non-holiday hours of operation, while the establishments pay for inspection services performed on holidays or on an overtime basis. The regulations define the basic workweek as five consecutive eight-hour days, excluding the lunch period. FSIS proposes that the eight hours of inspection service provided by the Agency include sufficient time for inspection program personnel to put on required gear and walk to a work station as well as to return from a workstation and remove required gear. Any time over those eight hours is overtime charged to an establishment.
HUS E coli in Wisconsin Possibly Connected to Petting Zoo
A young child with E. coli-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in Wisconsin may have been sickened at a petting zoo. The child, an 18-month-old girl from Lomira, Wisconsin, is battling HUS complications, including HUS kidney failure. She is expected to remain hospitalized for several weeks at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
The toddler’s father, told The Northwestern that his family wants all parents to know what can happen with E. coli and the signs to watch out for. HUS develops in five to 15 percent of people who contract shiga toxin-producing E. coli — mostly E. coli 0157:H7 — and children under 5 are the most susceptible of any age group.
The sick child developed a low-grade fever about five days after visiting the petting zoo on July 25. When she developed bloody diarrhea, they rushed her to the emergency room at St. Agnes Hospital. The next day they brough her to see her pediatrician and she was admitted to the hospital because she was dehydrated. When her kidneys failed, she was transported to the hospital in Milwaukee. She remains on dialysis and has been receiving blood transfusions.
