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Title:   Author  item
                                            Edrington, Thomasitem
                                            Callaway, Todditem
                                            Genovese, Kenneth

                                                         - *Ken*item
                                            Anderson, Robinitem
                                            Nisbet, David
  Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 11/28/2005
                                    Publication  Date: 2/4/2006
                                    Citation: Edrington, T.S., Callaway, T.R., Genovese, K.J., Anderson, R.C., Nisbet, D.J. 2006. Research examining seasonal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 [abstract]. American Society of Animal Science. Paper No. 90.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Recent estimates suggest that E. coli O157:H7 may have cost the beef industry as much as $2.7 billion in the past 10 years and does not include the nearly $1 billion spent annually on the approximately 73,000 human illnesses that occur in the United States as a result of this pathogen.  Cattle are natural reservoirs for this bacterium and typically appear non-symptomatic while shedding this pathogen into the environment.  Seasonal variation has been associated with E. coli O157:H7 with peak prevalence occurring during the summer and early fall and very low levels of infection reported in the winter months.  Interestingly, although seasonal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 is well documented and generally accepted, a plausible explanation has not been produced.  Ambient temperature is most often suggested as responsible for the seasonality of E. coli O157:H7, however, recent research at our laboratory has demonstrated day-length and physiological responses within the host animal as a result of changing day-length, may play a greater role.  The pineal and thyroid are two glands known to respond to seasonal changes in day-length.  Results of research examining exogenous melatonin as well as thyroid inhibition and tri-iodo-thyronine (T3) administration, supports our hypothesis that hormonal response to changing day-length may be involved in seasonal shedding patterns of E. coli O157:H7 in beef cattle.


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