Aims: The survival characteristics of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 were investi
gated in bovine slurry from cattle fed two different diets: (i) silage and
(ii) silage + concentrates.
Methods and Results: Slurry samples collected from freshly-agitated tanks w
ere inoculated at a level of log(10) 6.0 cfu g(-1) and stored in the labora
tory at 10 degreesC. Over a 12 week storage period, a 3.5 and 5.5 log reduc
tion was observed in slurry from cattle fed a silage and silage plus concen
trate diet, respectively.
Conclusions: The persistence of E. coli O157:H7 in slurry over a 3 month st
orage period indicates its potential for transmitting the organism back int
o the environment.
Singificance and Impact of the Study: The discussion concludes however, tha
t despite pathogen survival in slurry, it may not represent a major source
of transmission in the farm environment.