Prevalence of Escherichia coli o157:h7 strains in butcher shops in kafr el-sheikh city

Abstract EN

This study aims to assess the occurrence of Escherichia coli O157 and O157:H7 in butcher shops in Kafr El-sheikh city.

A total of 336 samples ( 137 ground beef, 152 grinding-machines and 47 manipulator hands ) were collected from 20 butcher shops during a period of 8 months from beginning January to end of august 2008 in the Kafr El-sheikh city.The samples were processed according to standard methodsand examined bacteriologically.

The resulting E.coli colonies were subjected to agglutination test using specific antisera to E.coli O157 and H7 .

The incidence of E.coli serotypes were observed, only one ground beef sample and one grinding machine was positive for E.

coli O157:H7, having a prevalence of 0.73 %.and 0.66% respectively Four samples were found positive for E.

coli O157 serotype, having a prevalence of two (1.5%) in ground beef and two (1.3%) from grinding machine .

The results of this Study reveal that the level of E.

coli O157;H7 was significantly lower as compared to other studies in Egypt, but it is similar to studies performed in many countries around the world.

The six E.coli serotypes were screened for antibiotic resistance.

High levels of resistance against several antimicr-obial agents were detected; those most commonly observed were to tetracycline, Streptomycin, Chloramphenecol and trimethoprim.

Such high levels of antimicrobial resistance highlight the need for a more rational use of these agents in cattle.