Bovine reservoir of STEC and EPEC: advances and new contributions

Abstract

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) are diarrheagenic E. coli. While EPEC produce only diarrhea, STEC are a causal agent of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) in humans. Those pathotypes are zoonotic pathogens, transferred to humans through contaminated food and water, direct animal or environmental contact, and the bovine is the main reservoir, shedding in their feces those bacteria that could contaminate the environment and the derived foods. The One Health concept is applicable to those bacteria because the health of human is related to health of animals and their environments. This chapter discusses the finding of the last 5 years regarding virulence factors, serotypes, pathogenicity islands, and prevalence in cattle. In addition, the resistance mechanisms and survival strategies of STEC are also included. Prevention and control of the bovine with several strategies including animal handling, probiotics, and vaccines are also explained.