Emerging zoonoses in food-producing animals

Abstract:

The project studies pathogenic Escherichia coli -bacteria common to man and animals and fluoroquinolone resistant salmonella bacteria. Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) as well as E. coli bacteria that produce extended spectrum betalactamases (ESBL) lay in the specific focus of the study. It is known that the same ExPEC strains can cause infections in humans and animals, and can thus be regarded as zoonotic agents. In this study we analyse the prevalence of these zoonotic agents in the poultry meat production chain and in companion dogs. The results help us to assess the importance of poultry meat and dogs to human health with respect to these zoonoses. In addition, we gain knowledge about the epidemiology of avian colibacillosis disease and antibiotic resistance among E. coli bacteria in poultry production.

Aims:

To elucidate the epidemiology of ExPEC bacteria and broad spectrum betalactamases producing (ESBL and AmpC) E. coli in poultry meat and companion dogs.

Keywords:

 E. coli, ESBL, AmpC, ExpEC, colibacillosis, poultry, dogs

Responsible project leader:

Pelkonen, Sinikka, Professor, Evira, Veterinary Bacteriology Research Unit

Person at Evira responsible for the project:

Pelkonen, Sinikka, Professor, Veterinary Bacteriology Research Unit

In cooperation with:

National Institute for Health and WelfareTHL,
University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
HK-Agri

Project status:

Previous

Year of commencement:

2010

Year of completion:

2015

Publications:

Lyhs U, Ikonen I, Pohjanvirta T, Raninen K, Perko-Mäkelä P, Pelkonen S. (2012)
Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli in poultry meat products on the Finnish retail market.
Acta Vet Scand. 54:64.

Project is financed by:

MMM 421/311/2009,
Evira,
THL

Evira’s project code:

8336

Page last updated 10/7/2018