Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A022
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, A022 (2025)
Free-living cervids as an environmental reservoir of STEC Escherichia coli strains
Wojciech Ospałek1*, Łukasz Wlazło1, Katarzyna Tajchman2, Bożena Nowakowicz-Dębek1
1 Department of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Hazards, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
2 Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: wojciech.ospalek@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are zoonotic pathogens found in a variety of wildlife species, including roe deer and red deer. These strains are important because of their potential to cause serious disease in humans. Monitoring and controlling STEC in wildlife is critical to public health. Implementing One Health approach, that considers both human, animal, and environmental health, is essential to mitigate the risks associated with these pathogens. A desk study analysis was conducted using online databases: Google Scholar, Scopus IA, and Web of Science based on the key words used, i.e. microbiota, cervidae, STEC E. coli, One Health. The results were narrowed to the area of occurrence and intensity of isolation of STEC strains in the population of wild cervids in Europe for the years 2000-2025. The results were developed and presented in tabular form and in a figure. As the presented data show, schigatotoxic E. coli strains occur in wild cervid populations with variable intensity. However, they are the subject of further research and analysis due to the risk of pressure from free-living animals on breeding farms and a significant threat to public health. Studies conducted on red deer in the Central Italian Alps showed that 19.9% of deer were carriers of STEC. In a study involving Iberian deer, E. coli O157:7 was detected in 1.1% of samples. Studies of fallow deer in Poland showed that 13.83% of samples were positive for STEC. A Swiss study of wild ungulates, including red deer and roe deer, showed that 9% of samples were positive for STEC. In light of the presented studies, the occurrence of STEC is variable and is at an average level of around 11% of the population of free-living ruminants. The reservoir of shigatotoxic E. coli was initially farm cattle, current studies indicate a change in this trend towards free-living animals, especially ruminants such as red deer, roe deer or fallow deer. The STEC reservoir occurring in the natural environment is a significant threat to the re-migration of strains to farm environments, causing financial losses and posing a significant threat to public health. This requires further research on the distribution and intensity of this pathogen in Polish conditions, because the current literature data are incomplete and do not reflect the real scale of the threat.
Keywords: microorganisms, ruminants, STEC, Escherichia coli
How to cite
W. Ospałek, Ł. Wlazło, K. Tajchman, 2025. Free-living cervids as an environmental reservoir of STEC Escherichia coli strains. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A022