Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Abstract

The study was conducted for the isolation and identification of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from imported beef and its contact surfaces in local retails of Mosul city. Isolation and identification of the organism was dependent on the morphological, cultural characteristics on selective media, and the use of Latex agglutination test (LAT) kit as a diagnostic technique for identification of the organism. Out of 50 samples, (25 samples of imported beef and 25 samples of meat contact surfaces), 43 were positive for E. coli (86%). In details, from 25 tested beef samples, the positive samples were 21 (84%) while 22 samples from contact surfaces of meat were positive (88%) for the presence of E. coli. Four isolates of E. coli (16%) of beef sample gave positive results with (LAT) tests as E. coli 0157:H7. All positive isolates of E.coli from contact beef surfaces showed negative results as E. coli 0157:H7 using the same technique.