Research article

Multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) of Irish verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli O157 from feedlot cattle: uncovering strain dissemination routes

Mary Murphy^1,2 , Donal Minihan² , James F Buckley¹ , Micheál O'Mahony³ , Paul Whyte² and Séamus Fanning²

¹Veterinary Food Safety Laboratory, Cork County Council, Inniscarra, Cork, Ireland

²Centres for Food Safety & Food-borne Zoonomics, UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland

³Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Abbey Court, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1, Ireland

author email corresponding author email

BMC Veterinary Research 2008, 4:2doi:10.1186/1746-6148-4-2

Published:	24 January 2008

Abstract

Background

The identification of the routes of dissemination of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157 through a cohort of cattle is a critical step to control this pathogen at farm level. The aim of this study was to identify potential routes of dissemination of E. coli O157 using Multiple-Locus Variable number of tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA).

Results

Thirty-eight environmental and sixteen cattle faecal isolates, which were detected in four adjacent pens over a four-month period were sub-typed. MLVA could separate these isolates into broadly defined clusters consisting of twelve MLVA types. Strain diversity was observed within pens, individual cattle and the environment.

Conclusion

Application of MLVA is a broadly useful and convenient tool when applied to uncover the dissemination of E. coli O157 in the environment and in supporting improved on-farm management of this important pathogen. These data identified diverse strain types based on amplification of VNTR markers in each case.