Isolation of atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli from chicken and chicken-derived products

Abstract

1. Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains from chicken and chicken-derived products were isolated and characterised.

2. The strains presented a wide variety of serotypes, some have been reported in other animal species (O2:H40, O5:H40) and in children with diarrhoea (O8:H-). Most of the strains carried intimin β.

3. The results indicate that chicken and chicken products are important sources of atypical EPEC strains that could be associated with human disease, and highlight the need to improve hygiene practices in chicken slaughtering and meat handling.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Authors thank M.R. Ortiz for her technical assistance. M.Z. Alonso was a holder of a fellowship from CONICET. P.M.A. Lucchesi and A. Krüger are members of the Research Career of CONICET. N.L. Padola is member of the Scientific Research Commission Prov. Buenos Aires (CIC).

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grants from Secretaría de Ciencia, Arte y Tecnología-Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (SECAT-UNICEN).