First insight into Escherichia coli virulence in South Korean quails: prevalence of stx and public health risk exposure?

The rapid growth of South Korea's quail farming sector has raised food safety concerns, particularly regarding Escherichia coli contamination. This pioneering study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of E. coli in quails, analyzing the isolates from more than 74 quail flocks across 17 farms. Specifically, the presence of the virulence gene stx1A was widespread, a unique finding compared to other poultry. In addition, other virulence-associated genes such as fimC and iroN showed high prevalence, underscoring the pathogenic potential. These findings underscore the public health risks posed by quail-derived E. coli strains, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and comprehensive research to ensure food safety and address potential public health threats in the national food supply chain.