Variable colonization of chickens perorally inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and subsequent contamination of eggs.

摘要: Challenging 1-day-old White Leghorn chicks perorally with 2.6 x 10(1) to 10(5) Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria per chick resulted in cecal colonization at all levels. Two of six inoculated only E. carried 10(3) 10(4) g tissue when sacrificed 3 months postinoculation. persisted least 10 11 were administered 10(8) bacteria. Eggs from five hens that fecal shedders until the termination study (10 months) assayed for O157:H7. The organism was isolated shells 14 101 (13.9%) eggs but not yolks and whites. Considering can be readily colonized by small populations continue long-term shedders, it is possible chickens hen serve as vehicles this human pathogen.