Influence of temperature on survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in stored cattle slurry with respect to environmental biosafety

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of temperature, i.e. 4 and 20 degrees C on the Escherichia coli O157:H7 survival time in a stored cattle slurry in a laboratory model experiment. The results of this investigation indicated that the tested microorganisms underwent a gradual elimination in the cattle slurry, whereas their inactivation rate was clearly dependent on the temperature. A higher survival rate was found in Escherichia coli O157:H7 at 4 degrees C where a theoretical survival time of these microorganisms, determined using a regression analysis, amounted to 83 days. Our study indicates that there is a necessity for the slurry to undergo hygienization processes and that a constant monitoring of liquid animal excreta in search for pathogenic microorganisms is required.