Virulence ofEscherichia coli isolated from raw meat, food handlers and equipment of meat shops.

Of 101Escherichia coli isolates from raw meat, food handlers and equipment 24.8% showed enterotoxigenicity, 22.7% surface hydrophobicity and there was a high incidence of resistance towards metal ions such as mercury, cadmium and silver. Only 6% of the strains were colicin producers. Significant statistical correlation was observed between enterotoxin production and cadmium and mercury ion resistance.