Publication Date

Spring 5-4-2025

Document Type

Student Project

First Advisor

Singh, Pallavi

Second Advisor

Ray, Ritesh

Degree Name

B.S. (Bachelor of Science)

Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Abstract

Bison, the American buffalo, are increasingly utilized for food consumption due to their high protein content. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important food-borne pathogen that leads to severe clinical infections and becomes antimicrobial-resistant (AMR). Specifically, fluoroquinolone antibiotics can complicate human treatment when infected with resistant STEC. This study aims to determine the presence of STEC in bison reservoirs and their antimicrobial resistance. Fecal samples (n=320) from bison herds were collected, followed by specific culture-based isolation for STEC. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed for pathogen confirmation, with 25.6% prevalence. PCR targeting gene, gyrA (resistant to fluoroquinolone), was tested for AMR confirmation, and phenotypic confirmation of resistance to Ofloxacin antibiotics was confirmed by the Kirby-Bauer method. Our findings will provide insight into the potential public health risks posed by bison as carriers of AMR pathogens, calling for monitoring and mitigating bacterial transmission in the food supply.

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