May 23, 2007

Kansas state researchers testing E.coli O157 vaccine

Kansas State University researchers are conducting a series of studies to test a vaccine, which may reduce the presence of E.coli O157 in feedlot cattle, said T.G. Nagaraja, professor of microbiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine in an Extension Service release.

E.coli O157, a pathogen commonly found in the faeces of beef cattle, can enter the food chain during carcass processing and cause food-borne illnesses in humans, which has economic implications for producers, said Nagaraja.

Researchers recently completed the third study in a series of experiments, which included 60 feedlot calves that all tested positive for E.coli O157, said Daniel Thomson, who is the Jones professor of production medicine and epidemiology for the Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine, in the release.

The calves were divided into one of three treatment groups that each received different doses of the vaccine (Escherichia coli O157 Siderophore Receptor Porin) throughout the eight-week experiment, the release said.

The study showed that the total prevalence of E.coli O157 in cattle that received a higher dose of vaccine decreased more than those receiving a lower dose or none at all.

This study was the third in a series of studies in which the first two also showed promising results, Thomson said.

Kansas State plans another study this summer in a feedlot setting, said Thomson.