Environmental sources and transmission of Escherichia coli O157 in feedlot cattle

A study was conducted in 2 feedlots in southern Alberta to identify environmental sources and management factors associated with the prevalence and transmission of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Escherichia coli O157:H7 was isolated in preslaughter pens of cattle from feces (0.8%), feedbunks (1.7%), water troughs (12%), and incoming water supplies (4.5%), but not from fresh total mixed rations. Fresh total mixed rations did not support the growth of E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli from bovine feces following experimental inoculation. Within a feedlot, the feces, water troughs, and feedbunks shared a few indistinguishable subtypes of E. coli O157:H7. A few subtypes were repeatedly isolated in the same feedlot, and the 2 feedlots shared a few indistinguishable subtypes. The prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in water troughs of preslaughter cattle in 1 feedlot was associated with season, maximum climatic temperatures the week before sampling; total precipitation the week before sampling, and coliform and E. coli counts in the water trough.