Animal Reservoirs of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli
- Authors: Anil K. Persad1, Jefrey T. LeJeune2
- Editors: Vanessa Sperandio3, Carolyn J. Hovde4
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VIEW AFFILIATIONS HIDE AFFILIATIONSAffiliations: 1: Food Animal Health Research Program, Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691; 2: Food Animal Health Research Program, Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691; 3: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX; 4: University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
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Received 27 January 2014 Accepted 21 March 2014 Published 22 August 2014
- Correspondence: Jeffrey T. LeJeune, [email protected]

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Abstract:
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains have been detected in a wide diversity of mammals, birds, fish, and several insects. Carriage by most animals is asymptomatic, thus allowing for dissemination of the bacterium in the environment without detection. Replication of the organism may occur in the gastrointestinal tract of some animals, notably ruminants. Carriage may also be passive or transient, without significant amplification of bacterial numbers while in the animal host. Animals may be classified as reservoir species, spillover hosts, or dead-end hosts. This classification is based on the animal's ability to (i) transmit STEC to other animal species and (ii) maintain STEC infection in the absence of continuous exposure. Animal reservoirs are able to maintain STEC infections in the absence of continuous STEC exposure and transmit infection to other species. Spillover hosts, although capable of transmitting STEC to other animals, are unable to maintain infection in the absence of repeated exposure. The large diversity of reservoir and spillover host species and the survival of the organism in environmental niches result in complex pathways of transmission that are difficult to interrupt.
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Citation: Persad A, LeJeune J. 2014. Animal Reservoirs of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli. Microbiol Spectrum 2(4):EHEC-0027-2014. doi:10.1128/microbiolspec.EHEC-0027-2014.




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Abstract:
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains have been detected in a wide diversity of mammals, birds, fish, and several insects. Carriage by most animals is asymptomatic, thus allowing for dissemination of the bacterium in the environment without detection. Replication of the organism may occur in the gastrointestinal tract of some animals, notably ruminants. Carriage may also be passive or transient, without significant amplification of bacterial numbers while in the animal host. Animals may be classified as reservoir species, spillover hosts, or dead-end hosts. This classification is based on the animal's ability to (i) transmit STEC to other animal species and (ii) maintain STEC infection in the absence of continuous exposure. Animal reservoirs are able to maintain STEC infections in the absence of continuous STEC exposure and transmit infection to other species. Spillover hosts, although capable of transmitting STEC to other animals, are unable to maintain infection in the absence of repeated exposure. The large diversity of reservoir and spillover host species and the survival of the organism in environmental niches result in complex pathways of transmission that are difficult to interrupt.

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Tables
Animal hosts of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli

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TABLE 1
Animal hosts of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
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