E. coli Prevention Research Focuses on Scottish Farmers
Certain farmers in the Grampain region in the north of Scotland are, to some degree, immune to the deadly bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7, the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) reports. Researchers at Bangor University in Wales tested about 200 Scottish farmers from Grampain and North Wales and it was found that about one-fifth of the farmers, or roughly 20 percent, are at least partially immune to E. coli O157:H7. The report was published August 8 on Scotsman.com.
Researcher Dr. Prysor Williams said: “We are taking small samples of blood and saliva and looking for antibodies in the samples. That will tell us if that individual has been exposed to 0157. If antibodies are present it shows that that individual has a degree of immunity because all the volunteers are not patients.”
The story reports that the study’s findings could help in the search for an E. coli vaccine, and that repeated exposure over a long period of time may be protecting these farmers from the otherwise harmful pathogen. The Scotsman story reports that the Grampain region is said to have one of the highest E. coli infection rates in the world, and results of the study suggest a much higher rate of antibodies among that region’s population. According to the story:
Rates of E coli 0157 in Scotland are higher than the rest of the UK. Last year, there were 4.6 cases per 100,000 people in Scotland, compared with fewer than two per 100,000 in England. In Grampian there were 11.1 cases per 100,000…The reasons for the higher rates in Scotland remain unclear.
E. coli Prevention Starting With Cattle: Research Report
Stopping E. coli at one of its most common sources–the digestive systems of cattle–is the subject of new E. coli prevention research from the University of Idaho.
The potentially life-threatening bacteria, E. coli O157:H7, colonize in cattle’s gastrointestinal tracts and can live there because the bacteria is harmful to humans but not cattle. Fecal matter from the environments in which the cattle are raised can spread and contaminate meat during the slaughtering process, and/or contaminate surrounding water supplies and groundwater that can lead to contamination of produce growing in the surrounding areas.
Researchers, however, are gaining insight into how E coli bacteria grow and survive inside cattle. The University of Idaho study shows that E. coli O157:H7 bacteria have chemical signals that allow it to sense their environment and activate certain genes in the cattle that help the bacteria colonize in cattle’s guts. And the ability to disrupt that signal could hold the key to preventing the life-threatening pathogen from growing inside the cattle, researchers say. This could potentially be done through feed additives that would block the transmission of that chemical signal.
E. coli Prevention: What you can do
Although research is an important component of E. coli poisoning prevention, the truth is that E. coli bacteria can still be found in foods, beverages and water sources. According to food safety attorney Fred Pritzker:
“Preventive measures by the meat industry may reduce the number of cattle that carry E. coli and the frequency of contamination of meat during processing. But since research into such prevention measures is just beginning, it is important that you understand the steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.”
E. coli Prevention
- Cook meat thoroughly
- Keep a clean kitchen
- Drink pasteurized beverages
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly
- Wash your hands
E. coli Prevention Research Targets Pathogens in Cattle
E. coli prevention research shows evidence of progress toward keeping e coli outbreaks from happening by stopping the bacteria where it starts–inside cattle’s digestive systems, according to news reports.
Microbiologists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have been working with the USDA on a study that will soon be reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study shows that it can be possible to hinder the harmful E. coli O157:H7 bacterium from colonizing in cattle in the first place, therefore lessening the likelihood that it could contaminate water and food supplies and sicken humans.
“If we can find a way to prevent these bacteria from ever colonizing in cattle, it’s possible that we can have a real impact on human disease.” said Dr. Vanessa Sperandio, associate professor of microbiology and an author of the study. Sperandio said the study is significant because the harmful pathogen is carried in about 70 to 80 percent of cattle herds in the United States. Although E coli 0157 can be deadly for humans it can live in the guts of cattle without harming them.
E. Coli HUS Lawsuit From Contaminated Well Water
A lawsuit involving contaminated well water has been settled by food safety attorney Elliot Olsen of Pritzker Olsen law firm. Although E. coli infections are more commonly associated with contaminated food like ground beef, it is entirely possible to contract E. coli poisoning from water supplies as well.
In this particular case, an Iowa toddler became sick from E. coli-contaminated well water that served as the water supply to the rural home her family rented. In May of 2007 she became sick with symptoms of an E. coli infection, including severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. She was hospitalized and her symptoms worsened as the pathogen infected her blood. Her condition, known as hemolytic uremic syndrome ( HUS), destroyed her red blood cells and kept the kidneys from serving their purpose as filters that clean and remove waste from the bloodstream.
She was put on kidney dialysis and remained in the hospital for about a month. Even three years later, she has permanent kidney damage and will continue to require medication and treatment, and could need a kidney transplant later in life.
Employees of the Iowa county where the home is located tested tap water from the house in June of 2007 and the results were positive for E. coli. The home is surrounded by pasture land, and cattle are known to graze on land uphill from the well. Expert witnesses, including a PhD environmental engineer from a major university and a PhD microbiologist from another major university specializing in E-coli, were hired to examine the situation and confirmed that cattle manure in rainwater most likely drained into the well and contaminated the water with the pathogen.
Although settlement earned for this young girl will help offset past and future medical expenses, they cannot undo the suffering this family has experienced. Nor will the settlement change the fact that property owners have a duty to their tenants to provide safe, clean drinking water—a duty that the property owner in this case has failed to fulfill.
E. coli from 750 Cows Pollutes River
A lagoon holding manure from 750 dairy cows broke and dumped millions of gallons of waste laden with E. coli O157:H7 into the Snowhomish River near Snohomish, Washington.
Quoting the Washington State Department of Agriculture, KING5-TV attributed the spill to a breached lagoon wall on the Bartelheimer Brothers dairy operation.
The state Department of Health is closely monitoring the problem, but there appeared to be no immediate threat to public drinking water systems, the station reported. People in the area with private wells are advised to consult with the health department about potential risks.
The lagoon is only 12 years old. It was built to hold 21 million gallons of manure and 10 feet of the 15-foot-deep facility was above ground level. All contents above ground level spilled out, according to the report.
Officials are monitoring the river and an accompanying slough to track harm to fish populations and people are being urged to stay away from the river to avoid E. coli poisoning.
