The Distribution of O‐antigen Types of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Normal Calves, compared with Man, and their R plasmid Carriage

Abstract

The distribution of O‐antigen types of Escherichia coli in calves over a ten‐month period has been determined. A total of 400 calves from separate farms located over a wide area of England and Wales have been surveyed. Of the 148 O‐types recognized, 93 were found in calves, compared with 107 in a previous survey in man; 42 of these were common to both hosts. In calves 60% of isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Of these, 71% belonged to ten O‐types, 9 of which were found in man. It is concluded that calves form a potential reservoir of R plasmid carrying E. coli .