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Published on: February 1, 2014
Non-O157 verotoxigenic Escherichia coli and beef: a Canadian perspective
1Health Canada, Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Products and Food Branch, Sir F.G. Banting Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario. alex.gill@hc-sc.gc.ca
Abstract:
Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) are important foodborne pathogens in Canada. VTEC of the O157:H7 serogroup have been the focus of regulatory action and surveillance in both Canada and the USA, due to their role in a number of high profile outbreaks. However, there is increasing evidence that other VTEC serogroups cause a substantial proportion of human illness. This issue is of particular importance to the cattle industry due to the role of beef as a vehicle for VTEC transmission. In this review, the evidence for non-O157 VTEC as cause of human illness in Canada and the potential for Canadian beef and cattle to serve as a source of VTEC are presented. In addition, the available strategies for the control of VTEC in cattle and beef are discussed.
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