Verocytotoxin producing E. Coli O157 on farms : prevalences, risk factors and transmission

Infection with verocytotoxin producing Escherichia coli(VTEC) O157 in humans can lead to mild or bloody diarrhoea, with e.g. the haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) as possible complication. Cattle appear to be important reservoirs of O157 VTEC. The main objectives of research described in this thesis are investigating prevalences, risk factors, and transmission of O157 VTEC to understand the dynamics of O157 VTEC in Dutch cattle. Data from a monitoring program in Dutch animal herds indicated that O157 VTEC is endemic in The Netherlands, with higher prevalences during summer and early fall. Risk... Mehr ...