TY - JOUR AU - Costa, Marcio C. AU - Reid-Smith, Richard AU - Gow, Sheryl AU - Hannon, Sherry J. AU - Booker, Calvin AU - Rousseau, Joyce AU - Benedict, Katharine M. AU - Morley, Paul S. AU - Weese, J. Scott PY - 2012 DA - 2012/03/28 TI - Prevalence and molecular characterization of Clostridium difficileisolated from feedlot beef cattle upon arrival and mid-feeding period JO - BMC Veterinary Research SP - 38 VL - 8 IS - 1 AB - The presence of indistinguishable strains of Clostridium difficile in humans, food animals and food, as well as the apparent emergence of the food-animal-associated ribotype 078/toxinotype V as a cause of community-associated C. difficile infection have created concerns about the potential for foodborne infection. While studies have reported C. difficile in calves, studies of cattle closer to the age of harvest are required. Four commercial feedlots in Alberta (Canada) were enrolled for this study. Fecal samples were collected at the time of arrival and after acclimation (< 62, 62-71 or > 71 days on feed). Selective culture for Clostridium difficile was performed, and isolates were characterized by ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. A logistic regression model was built to investigate the effect of exposure to antimicrobial drugs on the presence of C. difficile. SN - 1746-6148 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-8-38 DO - 10.1186/1746-6148-8-38 ID - Costa2012 ER -