The studies below conclude that the use of certain good agricultural practices is effective against pathogens in plants and animals, significantly reducing the potential for product contamination during harvesting. Studies also show that interventions in the processing plant can further kill pathogens during processing. Based on this research, E. coli and Salmonella are targeted by the combined effects of the VeriPrime™ Prevention Protocols.
T. P. STEPHENS, G. H. LONERAGAN, L. M. CHICHESTER, and M. M. BRASHEARS, (2007). Prevalence and Enumeration of Escherichia coli O157 in Steers Receiving Various Strains of Lactobacillus-Based Direct-Fed Microbials. Journal of Food Protection: Vol. 70, No. 5 pp. 1252–1255
Summary: Specific strains of Lactobacillus-based direct-fed microbials effectively reduced the prevalence and concentration of E. coli O157 in harvest-ready cattle, whereas others did not. When using direct-fed microbials to reduce carriage of E. coli O157 in cattle, it is important to select appropriately validated products.
Presented at the USDA-FSIS meeting, April 9-10 2008 “Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli: Addressing the Challenges, Moving Forward With Solutions”.
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Summary: Reduction in carcass prevalence from preevisceration to postprocessing suggests that sanitary procedures were effective within the processing plants. Fecal and hide prevalence were significantly correlated with carcass contamination (P 5 0.001), indicating a role for control of EHEC O157 in live cattle.
SMITH L, MANN JE, HARRIS K, MILLER MF, BRASHEARS MM (2005)
Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in Ground Beef Using Lactic Acid Bacteria and the Impact on Sensory Properties. Journal of Food Protection: Vol. 68, No. 8 pp. 1587–1592
Summary: This study indicates that adding LAB to raw ground beef stored at refrigeration temperatures may be an important intervention for controlling foodborne pathogens.
PETERSON RE, KLOPFENSTEIN TJ, ERICKSON GE, FOLMER J, HINKLEY S, et al. (2007)
Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus Strain NP51 on Escherichia coli O157:H7 Fecal Shedding and Finishing Performance in Beef Feedlot Cattle. Journal of Food Protection: Vol. 70, No. 2 pp. 287–291
Summary: This study is consistent with previous reports that feeding NP51 is effective in reducing E. coli O157:H7 fecal shedding in feedlot cattle.
YOUNTS-DAHL SM, OSBORN GD, GALYEAN ML, RIVERA JD, LONERAGAN GH, et al. (2005) Reduction of Escherichia coli O157 in Finishing Beef Cattle by Various Doses of Lactobacillus acidophilus in Direct-Fed Microbials. Journal of Food Protection: Vol. 68, No. 1 pp. 6–10
Summary: Supplementation of cattle with L. acidophilus strain NP51-based DFMs is effective as a preharvest food safety intervention strategy to control E. coli O157 in finishing beef cattle.
YOUNTS-DAHL SM, GALYEAN ML, LONERAGAN GH, ELAM NA, BRASHEARS MM (2004).
Dietary Supplementation with Lactobacillus- and Propionibacterium-Based Direct-Fed Microbials and Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 in Beef Feedlot Cattle and on Hides at Harvest. Journal of Food Protection: Vol. 67, No. 5 pp. 889–893
Summary: Cattle supplemented with a high dose of NP 51 had reduced E. coli O157 prevalence in both fecal and hide samples, indicating that this treatment may be an efficacious preharvest intervention strategy.
BRASHEARS MM, JARONI D, TRIMBLE J (2003)
Isolation, Selection, and Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria for a Competitive Exclusion Product To Reduce Shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Cattle. Journal of Food Protection: Vol. 66, No. 3 pp. 355–363
Summary: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were selected on the basis of characteristics indicating that they would be good candidates for a competitive exclusion product (CEP) that would inhibit Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the intestinal tract of live cattle.
BRASHEARS MM, GALYEAN ML, LONERAGAN GH, MANN JE, KILLINGER-MANN K (2003)
Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Performance by Beef Feedlot Cattle Given Lactobacillus Direct-Fed Microbials. Journal of Food Protection: Vol. 66, No. 5 pp. 748–754
Summary: The results of this study suggest that the feeding of a Lactobacillus-based DFM to cattle will decrease, but not eliminate, fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7, as well as contamination on hides, without detrimental effects on performance.
ELAM NA, GLEGHORN JF, RIVERA JD, GALYEAN ML, DEFOOR PJ, BRASHEARS MM, YOUNTS-DAHL SM (2003)
Effects of live cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus (strains NP45 and NP51) and Propionibacterium freudenreichii on performance, carcass, and intestinal characteristics, and Escherichia coli strain O157 shedding of finishing beef steers. Journal of Animal Science. 2003. 81:2686-2698
Summary: Direct-fed microbials have the potential to improve the ability of the beef cattle industry to provide a safer food product. The prevalence of Escherichia coli strain O157 in the feces and on the hide was decreased in steers treated with direct-fed microbials relative to controls.
POTTER AA, KLASHINSKY SI, LI Y, FREY E, TOWNSEND H, ROGAN D, ERICKSON G, HINKLEY S, KLOPFENSTEIN T, MOXLEY RA, SMITH DR, FINLAY BB (2004)
Decreased shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by cattle following vaccination with type III secreted proteins. Vaccine Vol. 22, No. 3-4, pp. 362-369
Summary: This strategy suggests it is possible to vaccinate cattle to decrease the level of E. coli O157:H7 shedding for the purpose of reducing the risk of human disease.
DONKERSGOED JV, HANCOCK D, ROGAN D, POTTER AA (2005) Escherichia coli O157:H7 vaccine field trial in 9 feedlots in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Canadian Veterinary Journal. Vol. 46, No. 8, pp. 724-728.
Summary: A feedlot trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of an Escherichia coli O157:H7 vaccine in reducing fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 in 218 pens of feedlot cattle in 9 feedlots in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Pens of cattle were vaccinated once at arrival processing and again at reimplanting with either the E. coli O157:H7 vaccine or a placebo. The E. coli O157:H7 vaccine included 50 μg of type III secreted proteins. Fecal samples were collected from 30 fresh manure patties within each feedlot pen at arrival processing, revaccination at reimplanting, and within 2 wk of slaughter. The mean pen prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in feces was 5.0%; ranging in pens from 0% to 90%, and varying significantly (P < 0.001) among feedlots. There was no significant association (P > 0.20) between vaccination and pen prevalence of fecal E. coli O157:H7 following initial vaccination, at reimplanting, or prior to slaughter.
AMÉZQUITA A, BRASHEARS MM (2002) Competitive Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat Products by Lactic Acid Bacteria. Journal of Food Protection: Vol. 65, No. 2 pp. 316–325
Summary: This method represents a potential antilisterial intervention in RTE meats, because it inhibited the growth of the pathogen at refrigeration temperatures without causing sensory changes.
Stern NJ, Cox NA, Bailey JS, Berrang ME, and Musgrove MT (2001) Comparison of Mucosal Competitive Exclusion and Competitive Exclusion Treatment to Reduce Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. Colonization in Broiler Chickens. Poultry Science, Vol. 80, Issue 2, 156-160
Summary: Control of Salmonella spp. during the earliest phases of broiler production may provide the best opportunity to reduce human pathogens on processed broiler carcasses. Application of the "Nurmi concept" has been demonstrated to be an effective means in reducing Salmonella colonization among broiler chicks. These results can be useful in developing intervention strategies to reduce chicken colonization by Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Click Here for Full TextBARROW PA, MEAD GC, WRAY C, DUCHET-SUCHAUX M (2003) Control of Food Poisoning Salmonella in Poultry Biological Options. World’s Poultry Science Journal: Vol. 59, pp. 373-383
Summary: There are a number of merits in the inclusion of a biological control component in a comprehensive control regimen. However, as been emphasized many times in the past, it is necessary to maintain strict attention to hygiene and management and not simply rely on the biological aspects of control.
PASCULA M, HUGAS M, BADIOLA JI, MONFORT JM, GARRIGA M (1999) Lactobacillus salivarius CTC2197 Prevents Salmonella enteritidis Colonization in Chickens. Applied and Environmental Microbiology: Vol. 65, No. 11 p. 4981-4986,
Summary: The great capability of L. Salivarius CTC2197 to reduce S. enteritidis C-114 colonization in vivo, together with its ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract of chicken after a single inclusion in the feed mixture, highlights it as a suitable strain for widespread use in the avian industry in order to minimize Salmonella colonization.
REVOLLEDO L, FERREIRA AJP, MEAD GC (2006) Prospects in Salmonella Control: Competitive Exclusion, Probiotics, and Enhancement of Avian Intestinal Immunity. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 15: 341-351
Summary: This review considers aspects of Salmonella carriage in poultry and host interactions that may be exploitable in the future to improve existing control measures. These include factors involved in colonization of the gastrointestinal tract, the role of competitive exclusion and probiotic treatments, and enhancement of intestinal immunity.
CHAMBERS JR, LU X (2002) Probiotics and Maternal Vaccination for Salmonella Control in Broiler Chickens. Journal of Applied Poultry Research Vol. 11 No. 3: pp. 320-327
Summary: The probiotic Preempt reduces Salmonella colonization in the cecum. The degree of colonization reduction at slaughter age depends on a size of the initial response to Salmonella challenge (bigger reduction in broilers with higher levels of colonization) but averaged approximately 1.5 lo cfu.
Oostenbach PJG (2002) The spread of Salmonella in animal production. An ongoing reduction is possible
www.safe-poultry.com/documents/TEXTSALENVAC-FLAVOMYCINIFF2002DEF_001.pdf
VAN DEN BOSCH G Vaccination versus treatment: How Europe is tackling the eradication of Salmonella (July 2003) Asian Poultry Magazine
http://www.safe-poultry.com/documents/salmonellaarticleAsianPoultry2003.pdf