Escherichia coli serotype distribution in man and animals

The serotype distributions of Escherichia coli isolated from animal faeces, human faeces and from meat have been compared. There were marked differences in serotype distribution in strains from man and animals. The meat strains generally resembled animal strains. The results suggest either that animal strains of E. coli are not reaching the general human population outside hospital to any great extent, or, if they do so, are failing to implant in the bowel.