Acid tolerance and acid shock response of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 isolates provide cross protection to sodium lactate and sodium chloride

The survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 due to an enhanced acid tolerance response (ATR), an enhanced acid shock response (ASR), or the stationary phase protective system when exposed to lactic acid and the resulting cross protection against increased concentrations of sodium chloride and sodium lactate was studied. Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolates (932 and E009) and a non-O157:H7 strain (ATCC 23716) were grown to stationary phase at 32 degrees C and exposed to one of two treatments in an attempt to either acid shock or acid adapt the survivors. Acid-shocked cells were exposed to lactic acid at pH 4.0. Acid-adapted cells were first exposed to a pH of 5.5 and then an acid challenge of pH 4.0. Sodium lactate (10%, 20%, or 30%) or sodium chloride (5%, 10%, or 15%) were added to a minimal glucose medium after the acidification treatments. When acid shocked and acid adapted isolate 932 and strain ATCC 23716 tolerated the elevated levels of sodium lactate, and the strain ATCC 23716 tolerated the elevated levels of sodium chloride. Acid adaption allowed isolate 932 to tolerate higher levels of sodium chloride; however, the acid shocking did not provide the same protection. Neither of the acid treatments provided increased tolerance to sodium chloride for isolate E009. Evidence of cross protection against acid and sodium chloride or acid and sodium lactate in E. coli O157:H7 could point to a need for further evaluation of whether these combinations of preservation means are sufficient to control this pathogen.