Microbes linked to factory farming

E.Coli O157:H7

Escherichia Coli is a gram negative bacteria that is found in the flora of the gut and can benefit their host, and often very harmless, however there are some deadly strains that can cause severe food poisoning and they are know as the E.Coli O157:H7. Research indicates that many meats especially ground beef is shown to be one of the most contaminated foods and it is believed that is due to the conditions in which they’re raised.

Enterococcus

Is a gram-positive bacterium found in the intestine they are the cause of many infections of the body such as U.TI, meningitis, bacteremia, and diverticulitis. One of the features of this bacterium is that it has one of the highest levels of resistance to antibiotics. In the U.S Vanomycin-resistant Enterococcus is used to treat this, and it has become resistant to this drug as well as to another antibiotic called synercid, which is the last-defense drug for patients. One of the reasons behind this is due to a link to agricultural use of avoparcin.

Salmonella.

Is a gram-negative bacterium and is closely related to the Escherichia genus bacteria. This bacterium has over hundred of strains and some that are not found in humans but maybe introduced. Its food borne illness and very deadly, it is responsible for 1.4 million cases in the U.S every year with an estimated 600 deaths. They are also capable of being transferred between humans. This is a rising bacteria and one of the strains known as DT104 is linked to factory farm animals and has become resistant to five different antibiotics.

MSRA:

Is a bacterium that is found to be difficult to treat with antibiotics because of its increased resistance over time. Like some other bacteria it is harmless and found in the environment, but can be extremely deadly in those that are infected. This bacterium is linked to factory farms where they are carried and acquired in crowed populations by animals and humans. Many factory farms were tested and found that the pigs contain MRSA with no physical signs of illness.

Campylobacter:

Is a gram-negative bacterium, and gets its name for its spiral shape. Its known to be one of the most common bacterium that causes foodborne illnesses. It is responsible for over 2 million cases annual in the U.S. This bacterium is mainly found in chickens and turkeys and they have become resistant to antibiotics called fluoroquinolones, which have largely been used in poultry. The FDA has now put a ban since 2005 on this drug for that purpose.

This is not a comprehensive list keep in mind there are more, but these are the most common, there are also some that have not been yet identified.