Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.
Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 2022 Jan 20;89(1):e1-e13. doi: 10.4102/ojvr.v89i1.1963.
Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) strains are a major cause of diarrheal diseases in both developed and developing countries. Healthy asymptomatic animals may be reservoirs of zoonotic DEC, which may enter the food chain via the weak points in hygiene practices.
We investigated the prevalence of DEC along the pig production continuum from farm-to-fork.
A total of 417 samples were collected from specific points along the pig production system, that is, farm, transport, abattoir and food. E. coli was isolated and enumerated using Colilert. Ten isolates from each Quanti-tray were selected randomly and phenotypically identified using eosin methylene blue agar selective media. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to confirm the species and to classify them into the various diarrheagenic pathotypes. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined against a panel of 20 antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and EUCAST guideline.
The final sample size consisted of 1044 isolates, of which 45.40% (474/1044) were DEC and 73% (762/1044) were multidrug-resistant. Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) was the most predominant DEC at all the sampling sites.
The presence of DEC in food animal production environments and food of animal origin could serve as reservoirs for transmitting these bacteria to humans, especially in occupationally exposed workers and via food. Adherence to good hygienic practices along the pig production continuum is essential for mitigating the risk of transmission and infection, and ensuring food safety.
产肠毒性大肠杆菌（DEC）菌株是发达国家和发展中国家腹泻病的主要病因。健康无症状动物可能是动物源 DEC 的储存宿主，这些 DEC 可能通过卫生实践中的薄弱环节进入食物链。
我们调查了从农场到餐桌的猪生产链中 DEC 的流行情况。
从猪生产系统的特定点共采集了 417 份样本，即农场、运输、屠宰场和食品。使用 Colilert 分离和计数大肠杆菌。从每个 Quanti-tray 中随机选择 10 个分离株，并使用曙红亚甲基蓝琼脂选择性培养基进行表型鉴定。使用实时聚合酶链反应（PCR）确认物种，并将其分类为各种腹泻型。使用 Kirby-Bauer 圆盘扩散法和 EUCAST 指南测定针对 20 种抗生素的药敏性。
最终样本量包括 1044 株分离株，其中 45.40%（474/1044）为 DEC，73%（762/1044）为多药耐药。肠侵袭性大肠杆菌（EIEC）是所有采样点最主要的 DEC。
食源性动物生产环境和动物源性食品中 DEC 的存在可能成为传播这些细菌给人类的储存宿主，特别是在职业暴露的工人中，并通过食物传播。在猪生产链中遵守良好的卫生实践对于减轻传播和感染的风险以及确保食品安全至关重要。
