SURVEY OF BACTERIOPHAGE FROM THE ENVIRONMENT AND EFFECTIVENESS FOR CONTROLLING ESCHERICHIA COLI 0157: H7 ON ICEBERG LETTUCE

Abstract

Approximately one third of foodborne illnesses are due to pathogenic, hemorrhagic O157 Escherchia. coli bacteria. Symptoms of this infection are gastrointestinal in nature and range from mild to severe in intensity. The focus of this project will be to discover wild bacteriophages that control O157:H7 or O157 strains of E. coli without harming non-pathogenic E. coli. To do so, soil and water samples where ruminant animals dwell will be collected. These viruses will be purified and cultured from these samples, and the virulence, cross infectivity, and genetic characteristics of the viruses will be determined. Lastly, a direct study of the virulent wild phages in a mock food contamination setting will be examined to determine if the wild bacteriophages collected are just as effective in controlling O157 E. coli as a common commercial strain is.