Risk factors of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in livestock raised on diversified small-scale farms in California. (1st June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Patterson, Laura; Navarro-Gonzalez, Nora; Jay-Russell, Michele T.; Aminabadi, Peiman; Pires, Alda F. A.
• Is Part Of: Epidemiology and infection. Volume 150(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06-01
• Subjects: Food safety -- mixed crop–livestock farms -- organic production -- pasture-raised livestock -- Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli -- sustainably produced; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1017/S0950268822001005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-2688

Abstract

Abstract: The increasing number of diversified small-scale farms (DSSF) that raise outdoor-based livestock in the USA reflects growing consumer demand for sustainably produced food. Diversified farms are small scale and raise a combination of multiple livestock species and numerous produce varieties. This 2015–2016 cross-sectional study aimed to describe the unique characteristics of DSSF in California, estimate the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in livestock and evaluate the association between risk factors and the presence of STEC in livestock, using generalised linear mixed models. STEC prevalence was 13.62% (76/558). Significant variables in the mixed-effect logistic regression model included daily maximum temperature (OR 0.95; CI95% 0.91–0.98), livestock sample source (cattle (OR 4.61; CI95% 1.64–12.96) and sheep (OR 5.29; CI95% 1.80–15.51)), multiple species sharing the same barn (OR 6.23; CI95% 1.84–21.15) and livestock having contact with wild areas (OR 3.63; CI95% 1.37–9.62). Identification of STEC serogroups of public health concern (e.g. O157:H7, O26, O103) in this study indicated the need for mitigation strategies to ensure food safety by evaluating risk factors and management practices that contribute to the spread and prevalence of foodborne pathogens in a pre-harvest environment on DSSF.