[Isolation of Escherichia coli O[157]: H[7] in sheep meats using cultural and PCR method]

ABSTRACT

Background and aim: Escherichia coli O[157]H[7] is now recognized as an important cause of diarrhea, hemorrhagia colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome worldwide. Meat contaminated with animal feces is probably the major source of the E. coli O[157]H[7]. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of E. coli O[157]H[7] in meat samples of sheep in Isfahan from August 2008 to January 2010