Fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella from contaminated manure slurry applied to soil surrounding tall fescue.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the potential transfer of Escherichia coli O157H7 and Salmonella from contaminated manure slurry into the tissue of tall fescue plants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Tall fescue plants (n = 50) were fertilized with a manure slurry inoculated with E. coli O157H7 and Salmonella. Soil was collected and tall fescue plants (n = 10 per day) harvested on day 1, 2, 4, 8, and 14 after manure slurry fertilization. Soil samples were positive for E. coli O157H7 on all days and on day 1, 2, 8, and 14 for Salmonella. None of the plant tissue samples were positive for E. coli O157H7 on day 1 or 2; however, 20%, 30% and 40% of plant tissue samples were positive for E. coli O157H7 on day 4, 8, and 14, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It may be possible that E. coli O157H7 can become transmitted and internalized into tall fescue plant tissue within 4 days after exposure to an E. coli O157H7-contaminated manure slurry. Salmonella did not appear to be transferred to tall fescue plant tissue. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Faeces contaminated with E. coli O15711H7 may be one means by which grazing ruminants spread bacterial pathogens to additional animals.