Author/Authors :
I. C، Unamba-Oparah نويسنده Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria , , C. U، Abiade نويسنده Department of Veterinary Public Health, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria , , K. F، Chah نويسنده Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria , , M. N، Oparah نويسنده Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri,Imo State, Nigeria , , I. C، Okoli نويسنده Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, PMB 1526, Imo State, Nigeria ,
Abstract :
Cattle slaughtered at the Nsukka Municipal Abattoir, South Eastern Nigeria were screened for presence of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) strains. A total of 104 faecal samples collected were processed for E. coli isolation following standard cultural procedures. E. coli isolated were cultured on Sorbitol McConkey (SMAC) agar to assess their ability to ferment sorbitol. Sorbitol fermenting E. coli strains were tested to determine if they belonged to VTEC group using Dryspot E. coli Serocheck kit. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of VTEC was determined by disc diffusion method. Out of 104 feacal samples cultured 75 yielded E. coli strains. Of this numbers, 68 were sorbitol fermenters and 7 non-sorbitol fermenters. Of the sorbitol positive E. coli, 50 strains were randomly selected and tested with the Serocheck kit and two (4%) were found to belong to the VTEC group. The two strains were sensitive to all the antibiotics used in the test.
