Risk factors for the occurrence of Escherichia coli virulence genes eae, stx1 and stx2 in wild bird populations.



Hughes, LA, Bennett, M ORCID: 0000-0003-0475-390X, Coffey, P, Elliott, J, Jones, TR, Jones, RC, Lahuerta-Marin, A, McNiffe, K, Norman, D, Williams, NJ ORCID: 0000-0003-4709-4190
et al (show 1 more authors) (2009) Risk factors for the occurrence of Escherichia coli virulence genes eae, stx1 and stx2 in wild bird populations. Epidemiology and infection, 137 (11). pp. 1574-1582.

[img] Text
JC 2009 LH E coli Birds.pdf - Unspecified
Access to this file is embargoed until Unspecified.

Download (133kB)

Abstract

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) can cause serious disease in human beings. Ruminants are considered to be the main reservoir of human STEC infections. However, STEC have also been isolated from other domestic animals, wild mammals and birds. We describe a cross-sectional study of wild birds in northern England to determine the prevalence of E. coli-containing genes that encode Shiga toxins (stx1 and stx2) and intimin (eae), important virulence determinants of STEC associated with human disease. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified unique risk factors for the occurrence of each virulence gene in wild bird populations. The results of our study indicate that while wild birds are unlikely to be direct sources of STEC infections, they do represent a potential reservoir of virulence genes. This, coupled with their ability to act as long-distance vectors of STEC, means that wild birds have the potential to influence the spread and evolution of STEC.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: ## TULIP Type: Articles/Papers (Journal) ##
Uncontrolled Keywords: Feces, Animals, Birds, Adhesins, Bacterial, Escherichia coli Proteins, Virulence Factors, Population Surveillance, Odds Ratio, Risk Factors, Cross-Sectional Studies, Seasons, Disease Reservoirs, England, Shiga Toxin 1, Shiga Toxin 2, Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 11 Apr 2016 09:58
Last Modified: 14 Mar 2024 22:26
DOI: 10.1017/s0950268809002507
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3000133