The isolation of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) strains from improperly pasteurised cow’s milk samples

Kiss, R. and Szita, G. and Herpay, M. and Csikó, Gy. and Pászti, J. and Mag, T. and Kovács, P. and Kovács, G. and Szita, J. and Tóth, P. and Szatmári, I. and Bernáth, S. (2011) The isolation of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) strains from improperly pasteurised cow’s milk samples. Acta Alimentaria, 40 (1). pp. 32-37. ISSN 0139-3006

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Abstract

The authors investigated the possibility of the presence of VTEC strains in improperly pasteurized milk samples. A total of 64 Escherichia coli strains were isolated from 135 pasteurized milk samples originating from the same producer. The examined isolates contained 29 haemolysin-, 9 colicin- and 5 aerobactin-producing strains, but the investigations concerning heat-resistant and heat-sensitive toxins gave negative results.Six O128-type E. coli strains exerted a cytotoxic effect on the VERO cell line; 5 of them contained H12 antigen, while one could not be typed. Four of the 6 verocytotoxin-producing strains belonged in phage group 20, one in phage group (2)3(7), and one in phage group 4; four strains were of B3, one of A1, and one of A1(A2) phage type.Because of a technical failure the milk was pasteurized at 69 °C for 15 s, which is 2 °C less than required. The results underline the importance of the appropriate pasteurization temperature, as otherwise the milk may contain verocytotoxin-producing E. coli, which is a potentially great hazard for public health.

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