E. coli Outbreak Research Examines Spinach
E. coli outbreak researchers for USDA created fluorescent E. coli cells to determine whether they can be internalized into roots of baby spinach plants — a recent project that found no evidence that E. coli O157:H7 was taken up in leaves or shoots of baby spinach plants grown in soil as many believed was the case.
The E. coli outbreak research was headed by Manan Sharma of the USDA’s Agriculture Research Service. His team modified several strains of E. coli to contain a gene for fluorescence, which allowed them to track the pathogen’s journey in spinach from field to harvest. Some of the modified bacteria they developed were highly pathogenic strains of E. coli O157:H7, the type of toxic E. coli that causes most cases of life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (E. coli HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). These conditions cause kidney failure and can trigger a cascade of other severe bodily injuries by fragmenting a person’s red blood cells.
One of the findings confirmed that the pathogenic E. coli could survive in the soil for up to 28 days at different levels. The researchers observed that the fluorescent E. coli cells had been able to migrate into the roots of spinach plants, but not beyond unless the plants were grown in hydroponic conditions. Even then, the number of E. coli cells that made it to the stems and leaves were not considered numerous to cause an outbreak of foodborne illness.
According to USDA’s own interpretation of the research, Sharma believes these findings confirm that although E. coli O157:H7 can survive in soils, it is highly unlikely that foodborne illness would result from the bacterium becoming internalized through roots in leafy produce.
From the perspective of an E. coli lawyer, the finding is more evidence that spinach E. coli, lettuce E. coli and E. coli in other leafy greens is highly preventable and should not cause outbreaks if fresh produce growers and handlers are vigilant and take responsibility for keeping poisons out of the food they sell. Pritzker Olsen attorneys represents victims of E. coli outbreaks and other outbreaks of foodborne illness 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). In addition, E. coli lawyerrs at the firm are actively involved in efforts to prevent E. coli outbreaks and other food poisonings to prevent the horrible illnesses and tragic deaths we have been witnessing for many years.
