Risk of Escherichia coli O157:H7 transmission linked to the consumption of raw milk

Abstract

E. coli
\nO157:H7 is associated with life threatening diseases such as hemorrhagic colitis (HC),
\nhemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Raw
\nmilk is considered a high risk food as it is highly nutritious and serves as an ideal medium for
\nbacterial growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of
\nE. coli
\nO157:H7
\nin raw cow, goat and buffalo milk samples. MPN-PCR method targeting the major virulence
\nrfbE
\ngene and
\nfliCH
\n7
\ngene of
\nE. coli
\nO157:H7 was used. Total of 177 raw milk samples were
\ncollected from local dairy farms in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The highest prevalence
\nof
\nE. coli
\nO157:H7 was found in raw cow milk (8.75%) followed by raw goat milk (7.32%)
\nand raw buffalo milk (1.79%). The estimated quantity of
\nE. coli
\nO157:H7 in raw cow, goat
\nand buffalo milk ranged from <30 MPN/g to 120 MPN/g. In raw cow and goat milk samples
\nexamined contain
\nE. coli
\nO157:H7 microbial load ranged from 30 to 120 MPN/g and 30 to 36
\nMPN/g, respectively.
\nE. coli
\nO157:H7 microbial load in buffalo milk samples was found to be
\nthe lowest, only 30 MPN/g. Results of this research provide useful information on biosafety of
\nE. coli
\nO157:H7 in raw milk marketed in Malaysia.