Storage of straw beddings affects bacterial community dynamics and the effectiveness of inactivating zoonotic pathogens

This study investigated the role of the bacterial community naturally present in straw-based animal beddings to inactivate Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica. The bacteria were individually introduced in either an animal bedding sourced from a calf rearing facility (e.g., straw naturally contaminated by fresh calf manure), or the same bedding pre-stored for 2 months.