Surveillance on Escherichia coli O157∶H7 in host animal feces and its significance in Quzhou municipality in Zhejiang province, 2008-2010

Objective To understand the carriage of Escherichia coli O157∶H7 in poultry and livestock in Quzhou from 2008 to 2010, and provide evidence for the development of prevention and control strategies Methods The feces samples of animals were collected to isolate and culture E.coli O157∶H7 during the high incidence period of intestinel infection (June-July), and PCR was conducted to detect the virulence gene. Results Two strains of O157∶H7 were isolated from 914 animal feces samples (0.22%), of which 1 was from sheep feces samples (0.62%) and 1 was from cattle feces samples (0.71%). Among these strains, 1 was stx2+ hly+ eaeA positive, 1 was hly+ eaeA positive, but all were stx1 negative. Conclusion O157∶H7 strains with virulence genes were detected again in Quzhou, which posed serious threat to people's health. It is necessary to strengthen the systematic surveillance of O157∶H7.