Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains that persist in feedlot cattle are genetically related and demonstrate an enhanced ability to adhere to intestinal epithelial cells.

A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the nature of Escherichia coli O157:H7 colonization of feedlot cattle over the final 100 to 110 days of finishing. Rectal fecal grab samples were collected from an initial sample population of 788 steers every 20 to 22 days and microbiologically analyzed to detect E. coli O157:H7.

Comparison of antimicrobial efficacy of multiple beef hide decontamination strategies to reduce levels of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella.

This study involved a comparison of the antimicrobial efficacy of several beef hide decontamination interventions to identify those that more effectively reduced levels of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. Whole beef hides were inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella and decontaminated with sprays of solutions of acetic acid (AA; 10%, 55 degrees C), lactic acid (LA; 10%, 55 degrees C), sodium hydroxide (SH; 3%, 23 degrees C), sodium metasilicate (SM; 4%, 23 degrees C), or sodium hydroxide (1.

Fate of post-processing inoculated Listeria monocytogenes on vacuum-packaged pepperoni stored at 4, 12 or 25 degrees C.

If present, Listeria monocytogenes may not be eliminated during processing of pepperoni or may be introduced during peeling, slicing, or packaging. We evaluated the fate of the pathogen on sliced inoculated pepperoni during vacuum-packaged storage, and potential differences in survival among three types of inocula, including nonacid-adapted, acid-adapted and pepperoni extract-habituated cultures. Commercial pepperoni (two replicates, three samples per treatment) was sliced and inoculated (3 to 4 log CFU/cm(2)), before vacuum-packaging and storage for up to 180 days at 4, 12 or 25 degrees C.

Studies to evaluate chemicals and conditions with low-pressure applications for reducing microbial counts on cattle hides.

Studies were conducted to identify effective antimicrobials and application parameters that could be used as decontamination interventions to reduce microbial loads on cattle hides before removal from carcasses. In study I, hide swatches inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 were sprayed with 10% acetic acid (at 23 and 55 degrees C), 10% lactic acid (at 23 and 55 degrees C), 3% sodium hydroxide (at 23 degrees C) or 4 and 5% sodium metasilicate (at 23 degrees C). All antimicrobials were evaluated independently after being applied alone, being applied after a water rinse, or being followed by a water rinse.