Antibiotics Reduce E. Coli in Swine

FAYETTVILLE, Ark.Antibiotics may be helpful in reducing E. coli O157:H7 among swine, according to recent Food Safety Consortium-supported research at Iowa State University.

Researchers examined the usage of three particular antibioticstylosin, chlorotetracycline, and bacitracin methylene disalicylatethat are generally used at dosages to encourage growth promotion. The project showed that the pigs that were fed the diet supplemented with chlorotetracycline and tylosin shed significantly less E. coli O157:H7 than did pigs that were fed antibiotic-free diets.

E. coli O157:H7 is well known as a significant cause of foodborne illness in meat that comes from cattle, but the pathogen is not as prevalent in swine. Studies in recent years have found reports linking pork products to outbreaks of human disease caused by E. coli O157:H7. Researchers acknowledged that such incidents are rare, but the potential problem is worth keeping on food producers radar.