Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in swine: prevalence over the finishing period and characteristics of the STEC isolates

This descriptive longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the faecal shedding of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in finishing swine and to characterize the swine STEC isolates that were recovered. Three cohorts of finishing swine (n = 50/cohort; total 150 pigs) were included in the longitudinal study. Individual faecal samples were collected every 2 weeks (8 collections/ pig) from the beginning (pig age 10 weeks) to the end (pig age 24 weeks) of the finishing period. STEC isolates were recovered in at least one sample from 65.3% (98/150) of the pigs, and the frequency distribution of first-time STEC detection during the finishing period resembled a point-source outbreak curve. Nineteen O: H serotypes were identified among the STEC isolates. Most STEC isolates (n = 148) belonged to serotype O59: H21 and carried the stx2e gene. One O49: H21 STEC isolate carried the stx2e and eae genes. High prevalence rates of STEC during the finishing period were observed, and STEC isolates in various non-O157 serogroups were recovered. These data enhance understanding of swine STEC epidemiology, and future research is needed to confirm whether or not swine STEC are of public health concern.