Prevalence of escherichia coli in bulk tank milk with special refernce to serotype e. coli o157 : h7

Abstract EN

100 samples of raw milk were randomly collected and examined for E.

coli of 100 samples examined.

40 harboured the organisms in counts (MPN/ml) ranged from 4 to 9 x 104.

The highest incidence 37.5% was in between 102 to < 103/ml.

90 isolates were picked up from EMB agar and were proved to be E.

coli biochemically by IMVIC pattern.

All isolates were cultured on Flourocult O157: H7 agar plates to select the non fluorogenic and sorbitol positive E.

coli strains to be suspected as E.

coli O157: H7 bacteria.

4 of them gave the characteristic features of E.

coli O157: H7 bacteria.

After using the E.

coli O157: H7 test kits, non of the 4 strains carried the antigen characterize the O157: H7 strains.

The public health importance of the isolated organisms as well as the suggested measures for preventing milk from contamination have been discussed.