A Pilot Project Assessing Exposure of Livestock Workers in the Southwest U.S. to E.Coli 0157:H7 and Salmonella

摘要

The livestock industry, like many other agricultural industries in the United States, is dependent on the labor that migrant and seasonal farm workers (MSFW) provide. Infections caused by zoonotic pathogens are commonly underreported or misdiagnosed, and possibly more so in migratory populations that face cultural, structural, legal, financial, and geographic barriers to health services. The objectives of this project were to: Assess feasibility of collecting and analyzing infectious pathogens; inform future risk assessment models; and encourage livestock worker health and safety. Swab samples were collected from the shoulders, knees, and foreheads of employees at two livestock operations at the end of work shift (n=20). The swabs were cultured for E.coli 0157:H7 and Salmonella. Molecular Salmonella DNA was extracted and quantified using droplet-digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR). Additionally, a questionnaire including demographics, work tasks, and health and safety practices was administered to all participants. E.coli 0157:H7 was detected in 13% of cultural environmental samples and Salmonella was detected in 3% of cultural environmental samples. Molecular Salmonella DNA was quantified in 60%, 40% and 15% of samples collected from workers' foreheads, shoulders, and knees, respectively. The majority of participants spoke Spanish and had completed some high school. Finally, all participants reported wearing gloves, an apron, and boots during the workday. The questionnaire provides insight that can be used to create appropriate recommendations for the livestock industry, workers, and workers' families. The positive cultural and molecular samples indicate the need for improved sanitation practices at farms, utilizing the industrial hygiene hierarchy of controls. This pilot project informs future investigations, helps build risk assessment models, improves worker knowledge and health, and fosters preventive practices in the Arizona agricultural industry.