Several ground meat recalls have made the news in recent weeks. There never is a good time for such news. Certainly during the “outdoor grilling” season, any cause for concern of ground meat safety is not good for the industry. Montana State University animal scientists working with USDA scientists are studying the effectiveness of an experimental vaccine against E. coli. Beef cows in the last trimester of pregnancy were used to determine if vaccinating against Escherichia coli O157:H7 would increase antibody titers in the serum and also result in the transfer of these antibodies to the newborn calf. Seventy-one cows were vaccinated 30 days before parturition with an experimental vaccine and then commingled with 66 non-vaccinated cows.

Cow fecal and venous blood samples were collected at trial initiation and again about 14 days after parturition. Calf feces and serum were collected at about 14 days after parturition and 60 days later. Results of this experiment showed that vaccinating the late gestating cow with an experimental vaccine against E. coli O157:H7 resulted in increased antibody titers in both cows and calves. Any partial reduction in the shedding of E. coli O157:H7 will be useful in controlling the contamination of meat. Source: Standley and co-workers. The Professional Animal Scientist. Vol. 24 (2008):260–263.