摘要：Vero-toxin producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) have been associated with both, outbreaks and sporadic cases of human disease, ranging from uncomplicated diarrhoea to hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). The dominant VTEC serotype is O157:H7, which is also most commonly involved in large outbreaks all over the world. Due to the fact that the above named pathogens also frequently occur in cattle, control of food contamination ought to begin with control of pathogens in domestic animal populations. The objective of our research was to investigate occurrence of VTEC strains in cattle and beef along the feedlot – slaughterhouse chain in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We collected and investigated the total of 2040 samples, out of which 1560 of swabs (swabs of working areas and hands of workers in slaughterhouses and beef specimens) and 480 samples of beef meat and meat products. Out of all the samples, nine strains, which were isolated from swabs from slaughterhouse (six) and meat specimens (three), were identifiedasVTECpositive. Among them, fivestrainswereidentifiedasO157:H7,three as O96:H19 and one as O27:H7. Importance of our research may be seen in fact that our investigation resulted in the first isolation and identification of VTEC strains in Bosnia and Herzegovina and particularly identification of O157:H7 strain, one of worldwide most prevalent foodborne pathogen.
关键词：E. coli; Vero-toxic strains; meat and meat products; swabs
