Shiga Toxin and Shiga Toxin-Encoding Phage Do Not Facilitate <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 Colonization in Sheep

Abstract

Isogenic strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7, missing either stx(2) or the entire Stx2-encoding phage, were compared with the parent strain for their abilities to colonize sheep. The absence of the phage or of the Shiga toxin did not significantly impact the magnitude or duration of shedding of E. coli O157:H7.