[Verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) in feces from cattle slaughtered in Germany]

In man, EHEC infections may result in severe disease. Cattle and foods derived from this animal species are considered as a source of infection. The presence of VTEC being potential EHEC was studied. For analysis, feces samples were examined which had been taken from 204 heads of cattle slaughtered in various regions of Germany. VTEC could be isolated from 97 animals (47.6%). This indicates a presence of VTEC in slaughtered cattle being 5 times higher than known for Germany so far. The aeaA gene could be demonstrated in a mere 23 out of 667 VTEC isolates. The CVD 419 sequence was present in 55.3% of the VTEC isolates. Ehly was found in 61% of them. Consequently, both markers were unsuitable for the detection of VTEC in faeces samples from cattle and in foods with faecal contamination. The VTEC isolates belonged to 54 different serotypes of E. coli, VTEC 0157 have not been found so far. Some of the VTEC serovars found in this study have already been described as associated with human disease following EHEC infection. The presently available laboratory methods do not permit to exclude a risk for humans from bovine VTEC reliably. For this reason, bovine VTEC should be further on considered as potential EHEC and an infection of humans by such agents be avoided.