Detection of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in Bovine Meat in the Northern Region of Paraná State, Brazil

Abstract Ground bovine meat is commonly consumed by the population of Brazil. However, it constitutes an excellent medium for the multiplication of microorganisms due to available nutrients and handling practices prior to consumption. Here, we examined 100 samples of ground beef for the presence of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) pathotypes by PCR, and characterized isolates by analyzing their adherence to HEp-2 cells, serotype, antimicrobial susceptibility, and phylogeny. Enteroaggregative E. coli was detected in five (5%) meat samples, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in three (3%), and atypical enteropathogenic E. coli in two (2%). According to the phylogeny, six isolates (60%) were classified in group A, two (20%) in group B1, and two (20%) in group E. The detected serotypes were O3:H2, O93:H9, O93:H46, O105ab:H7, O152:H8, O156:H10, and O175:H7. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that one sample (10%) was resistant to ampicillin, two (20%) to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and two (20%) to cephalothin. Based on these results, bovine ground meat for human consumption can serve as a reservoir of DEC, which emphasizes the importance of appropriate hygienic-sanitary conditions during handling at every stage from slaughter to table.

Qualidade microbiológica da água do Lago Igapó de Londrina - PR e caracterização genotípica de fatores de virulência associados a Escherichiacoli enteropatogênica (EPEC) e E. coli produtora de toxina Shiga (STEC) / Microbiological water quality of Igapó Lake Londrina - PR and genotypic characterization of virulence factors associated with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)

Esse trabalho teve como objetivo a detecção e quantificação de coliformes totais e Escherichia coli, no Lago Igapó, com a finalidade de avaliar a qualidade destas águas como próprias ou impróprias para recreação, além da caracterização genotípica de fatores de virulência associados a EPEC e STEC pela técnica da PCR. A área de estudo foi o Lago Igapó I, II, III e IV. As coletas foram realizadas mensalmente entre março de 2011 a fevereiro de 2012. A técnica utilizada para detecção e quantificação de Coliformes Totais e E. coli foi a do substrato cromogênico Colilert. Na PCR os genes eae e bfp foram pesquisados para caracterizar o patotipo de EPEC típica; stx1, stx2, eae e hlyA o de STEC e as que apresentaram somente o gene eae foram caracterizadas como EPEC atípica. De acordo com a Resolução CONAMA 357/2005, foi observado que para a recreação de contato primário, apenas o Lago Igapó III foi classificado impróprio, já para recreação de contato secundário, todos os lagos apresentaram-se próprios. Além disso, pode ser observada uma forte relação entre o índice pluviométrico e os índices deE. coli no Lago Igapó, na qual em meses mais secos a sua quantidade decresce drasticamente, enquanto que em meses chuvosos se observava uma relação contrária. Das 97 cepas de E. coli isoladas, duas apresentaram o gene eae (EPEC atípica). Nenhum isolado apresentou os genes stx1, stx2, bfp e hlyA. Desse modo, esperamos conscientizar a população e os órgãos públicos da importância do monitoramento microbiológico das águas recreacionais para prevenção de surtos de infecções de veiculação hídrica.

This work aimed at the detection and quantification of total coliforms and Escherichia coli in IgapóLake, in order to evaluate the quality of these waters as proper or unfit for recreation, in addition to the genotypic characterization of virulence factors associated with EPEC and STEC by PCR. The study areawas the Igapó Lake I, II, III and IV. Samples were collected monthly from March 2011 to February 2012.The technique used for the detection and quantification of Total Coliforms and E. coli was the Colilert chromogenic substrate. In the technique of PCR, the eae and bfp genes were tested to characterize the typical EPEC pathotype; stx1, stx2, eae and hlyA the STEC pathotype and the samples that presented only the eae gene were characterized as atypical EPEC. According to CONAMA Resolution 357/2005, it has been observed that only Igapó Lake III was rated inappropriate for primary contact recreation, while for secondary contact recreation, all lakes were considered appropriate. Moreover, a strong relationship between rainfall and E. coli indices in Igapó Lake can be observed, which in dry months the quantity drastically decreases, while in rainy months the opposite relationship was observed. Of the 97 strains of E. coli isolated, two had the eae gene (atypical EPEC). None of the isolates contained genes stx1,stx2, bfp and hlyA. Thus, we hope to educate the population and public agencies of the importance of microbiological monitoring of recreational waters to prevent outbreaks of waterborne infections.