Colicin concentrations inhibit growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in vitro

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a virulent foodborne pathogen that causes severe human illness and inhabits the intestinal tract of food animals. Colicins are antimicrobial proteins produced by E. coli strains that inhibit or kill other E. coli. In the present study, the efficacy of three pore-forming colicins (E1, N, and A) were quantified in vitro against E. coli O157:H7 strains 86-24 and 933. Colicins El and N reduced the growth of E. coli O157:H7 strains, but the efficacy of each colicin varied among strains. Colicin El was more effective against both strains of E. coli O157:H7 than colicins A and N and reduced (P < 0.05) populations of E. coli O157:H7 at concentrations <0.1 mug/ml. These potent antimicrobial proteins may potentially provide an effective and environmentally sound preharvest strategy to reduce E. coli O157:H7 in food animals.