| Pathogenic E.coli that produce a class of cytotoxins, called shiga toxin, are known as shiga toxigenic E.coli (STEC). Beef cattle and its products are the main vehicle for STEC transmission. These bacteria cause human illnesses ranging from mild diarrhea to life-threatening diseases such as hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. The purpose of this study is to use effective methods to determine STEC prevalence in northeast Arkansas. Samples (rectal swabs, feed, soil, and water) were collected from 18 farms. STEC strains were identified using cultural methods involving enrichment, and plating on CT-SMAC and CT-Rainbow agar. Isolate identities were confirmed by biochemical and agglutination tests. Of the samples analyzed from 18 farms, the overall prevalence rate of O157 STEC was found to be 14.2 % in rectal swab samples and 14.9 % in environmental samples. While, the overall prevalence rate of non-O157 STEC was found to be 75.3 % in rectal swab samples and 37.6 % in environmental samples. Results indicate the high prevalence of STEC strains in NE-Arkansas region. |
