Isolation and Identification of Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 from Healthy Domestic Cats

Escherichia coli bacteria are the normal intestinal flora of warm-blooded animals. This harmless bacteria can evolve into pathogenic Escherichia coli by acquiring virulence genes through plasmids, transposons or bacteriophages. Pathogenic Escherichia coli can be transmitted from asymptomatic carriers to other animal and humans. Escherichia colis serotype O157:H7 has been recognized as the most important cause of hemolytic uremia syndrome. According to the close contact between cats and humans, this research conducted to study the presence of Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 in non-diarrheic domestic cats. Escherichia coli were isolated from 101 fecal samples collected from healthy cats referred to veterinary clinics in Tehran. Isolated Escherichia coli confirmed by culture and biochemical test. Escherichia coli O157:H7 was detected by culture in chromomeric media culture and shiga toxin 1 and 2 genes were analyzed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Questionnaire data and test results were statistically analyzed. Escherichia coli O157:H7 which carrying shiga toxin 2 gene were detected in three samples. There was not statistically significant relationship between existence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and variable sex breed, nutrition, contact, outdoor roaming and age (p