Assessment of anti-Salmonella activity of boot dip samples.

The introduction of pathogens from the external environment into poultry houses via the boots of farm workers and visitors presents a significant risk. The use of boot dips containing disinfectant to help prevent this from happening is common practice, but the effectiveness of these boot dips as a preventive measure can vary. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-Salmonella activity of boot dips that are being used on poultry farms.

Investigation into the effectiveness of pooled fecal samples for detection of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 in cattle.

Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157) may cause severe illness in people. Cattle are regarded as an important source of VTEC O157, and in an outbreak investigation, there is a necessity to establish whether or not the putative contact herd shares infection with the human case. The effectiveness of a herd investigation is impacted by the number of samples required, which will influence the time taken to collect samples and then process these in the laboratory.