Category Archives: E.coli

Iceland – Monitoring of Sunu 2019

Monitoring of Sunu 2019

Salmonella increased in poultry and pigs in 2019 compared to the year before there was an increase in salmonella infections in humans. The rapid increase in the illness caused by toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in people when the cycle of infection occurred last summer in the south . Food has published a report on the monitoring agents exhibit and antibiotic resistance in 2019 on the website of the Agency.

Sununu are diseases or pathogens (súnuvaldar) transmitted between humans and animals. Control of salmonella (Salmonella spp.) And Campylobacter (Campylobacter spp.) In the first stages of the food chain is powerful in the country and deliver increased consumer food safety. Other food-borne bacteria cause disease in people less than in the light of the very serious illnesses may include monitoring of the bacteria no less important.

The incidence of salmonella in poultry, the products of poultry and pigs increased from the previous year. The increase was due to repeated infected a few farms where it has been difficult to get rid of certain strains of bacteria. A similar increase was not found in people and it indicates that the monitoring of fire and slaughterhouses, in accordance with national programs, minimize the risk of contamination of poultry and pork in people. Whole Gene Research conducted in support that conclusion. While salmonella was found in one sample from the domestic pork market reminiscent of the constant need to be alert and to encourage proper treatment of food with consumers.

No significant changes were observed in the prevalence of Campylobacter in people or poultry and their products. Campylobacter was detected in three samples of frozen chicken meat market (2.1% of samples), samples from both domestic and foreign meat. In all cases, this was a very little bacterial contamination or below the detection limit (<10 cfu / g) counting method which dies Campylobacter mostly frozen.

The rapid increases in illness in people due to infections caused by toxin producing E. coli (STEC), which is explained primarily by a rally in the summer of 2019 in which 22 children and two adults became ill. So far, the incidence of this infection have been very low in people in this country, one to three cases a year. Epidemiological evidence regarding the cycle and screening conducted in 2018 and 2019 for STEC in meat market suggest that the bacteria are part of the microflora of Icelandic cattle and sheep. Research is needed, however, better prevalence of STEC in livestock and focus on preventive measures in slaughterhouses and meat processors to reduce the risk of spreading STEC in meat. Moreover, it must avoid the unclean artifacts present at the slaughterhouse.

Listeria (Listeria monocytogenes) found regularly in the known risks and production environment. That year the initiatives contained in the monitoring of food businesses that produce food ready for consumption, with an emphasis on smoke and buried fishery products, cheeses and meats. Go particular the sampling plan companies and their preventive measures against listeria.

We import control of animal products from third countries are regularly sampled for analysis of Salmonella, Listeria (L. monocytogenes) and E. coli. In 2019 were sampled consignments of eggs, cooked shrimp, mysudufti, meat products (prepared chicken dishes) and pet food. The samples were all negative.

Click to access sunur-syklalyfjaonaemi-2019.pdf

Research – Prevalence of E. coli , Salmonella , and Listeria spp. as potential pathogens: A comparative study for biofilm of sink drain environment

Wiley Online

Abstract

Since knowledge and understanding of waterborne pathogens and their diseases are well illuminated, a few research publications on the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms in various household sink drain pipes are often not extensively examined. Therefore, this study aims to (a) assess and monitor the densities of the bacterial community in the different natural biofilm that grow on plastic pipelines, (b) to detect Escherichia coli Salmonella , and Listeria spp. from natural biofilm samples that are collected from the kitchen (= 30), bathroom (= 10), laboratories (= 13), and hospital (= 8) sink drainage pipes. Three bacterial species selected were assessed using a culture‐dependent approach followed by verification of isolates using both BIOLOG GEN III and polymerase chain reaction. The estimated number of each bacterium was 122 isolates, while 60, 20, 26, and 16 isolates were obtained from the natural biofilm samples, kitchen, bathroom, laboratories, and hospital, respectively. As for the tests, in all types of biofilm samples, the overall bacterial counts at low temperature (22°C) were higher than those at high temperature (37°C). Meanwhile, coli had the most significant number of bacterial microorganisms compared to the other two pathogens. Additionally, the most massive cell densities of coli Salmonella , and Listeria species were discovered in the biofilm collected from the kitchen, then the hospital. Statistically, the results reveal that there is a positive correlation (≥ .0001) with significance between the sources of biofilm. This work certainly makes the potential of household sink drain pipes for reservoir contagious pathogens more explicitly noticeable. Such knowledge would also be beneficial for prospective consideration of the threat to human public health and the environment.

Research – Essential Oils: Their Antibacterial Properties and Potential Applications in Foods–A Review

Pub Med

Abstract

In vitro studies have demonstrated antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Shigella dysenteria, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus at levels between 0.2 and 10 microl ml(-1). Gram-negative organisms are slightly less susceptible than gram-positive bacteria. A number of EO components has been identified as effective antibacterials, e.g. carvacrol, thymol, eugenol, perillaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid, having minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.05-5 microl ml(-1) in vitro. A higher concentration is needed to achieve the same effect in foods. Studies with fresh meat, meat products, fish, milk, dairy products, vegetables, fruit and cooked rice have shown that the concentration needed to achieve a significant antibacterial effect is around 0.5-20 microl g(-1) in foods and about 0.1-10 microl ml(-1) in solutions for washing fruit and vegetables. EOs comprise a large number of components and it is likely that their mode of action involves several targets in the bacterial cell. The hydrophobicity of EOs enables them to partition in the lipids of the cell membrane and mitochondria, rendering them permeable and leading to leakage of cell contents. Physical conditions that improve the action of EOs are low pH, low temperature and low oxygen levels. Synergism has been observed between carvacrol and its precursor p-cymene and between cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. Synergy between EO components and mild preservation methods has also been observed. Some EO components are legally registered flavourings in the EU and the USA. Undesirable organoleptic effects can be limited by careful selection of EOs according to the type of food.

RASFF Alert – E.coli – Betel Leaves

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RASFF – high count of Escherichia coli (2200 CFU/g) in betel leaves from Sri Lanka in the UK

RASFF Alert – E.coli – Fresh Coriander

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RASFF – too high count of Escherichia coli (6000 CFU/g) in fresh coriander from Thailand in the UK

USA – FDA Releases Report on Investigation into Fall 2019 Outbreaks of Illnesses Tied to Romaine Lettuce

FDA

 

As the nation grapples with the COVID-19 public health emergency, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is grateful for all that the food and agricultural sector is doing to provide safe and available food to consumers during this difficult time. As we work to get through the current challenge together, the FDA remains committed to protecting both the safety of workers and consumers from foodborne illness as we strive to ensure that America’s food supply remains resilient and among the safest in the world. As part of our ongoing efforts to combat foodborne illness, the FDA released the findings of an investigation into three outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses that occurred in Fall 2019, all tied to romaine lettuce, that suggests the proximity of cattle to produce fields may have been a contributing factor.

Investigational Findings

The FDA worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state partners to investigate the contamination of romaine lettuce with several strains of E. coli O157:H7 that caused three outbreaks of foodborne illness beginning in September 2019 and which were declared over in January 2020. Some clusters (but not all) within each of these outbreaks were traced back to a common grower with multiple ranches/fields located in the Salinas, CA, growing region. Together, the outbreaks made 188 people ill.

During the course of on-farm investigations, one of the outbreak strains of E. coli O157:H7 was detected in a sample on public land less than two miles upslope from a produce farm with multiple fields that were identified during the traceback investigations. Other Shiga toxin-producing strains of E. coli (STEC) were found in closer proximity to where romaine lettuce crops were grown, including two samples from the border area of a farm immediately next to cattle grazing land in the hills above leafy greens fields and two samples from on-farm water drainage basins.

While these strains were not tied to the outbreaks, they do offer insight into the survival and movement of pathogens in this growing region. These findings, together with the findings from earlier leafy greens outbreaks, suggest that a potential contributing factor has been the proximity of cattle to the produce fields identified in traceback investigations. This is especially true when cattle are adjacent to and at higher elevations than produce fields.

In the report, “Investigation Report: Factors Potentially Contributing to the Contamination of Romaine Lettuce Implicated in the Three Outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 During the Fall of 2019,” we’re calling on leafy greens growers to assess and mitigate risks associated with adjacent and nearby land uses, including grazing lands and animal operations. Of note, the number of cattle observed on nearby lands during the 2019 investigations was far lower than the volume of a large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, offering a useful reminder that high-density animal operations are not the only factor to consider. These key findings reinforce our concern about the possible impact of nearby and adjacent land use on the safety of leafy green crops and further underscore the importance of reviewing current operations and implementing appropriate risk mitigation strategies.

USA – Dumplings seven brands found E. coli

KXAN 36 News

Experts Roskoshestvo during the follow-up study checked the dumplings seven brands. In all products have been identified serious violations.

Dumplings all seven grades do not meet the requirements of the technical regulations of the Customs Union “On safety of meat and meat products”, said Roskoshestvo. In particular, all goods specialists found dangerous to the health of consumers of Escherichia coli and products of the same brand has revealed yet and Salmonella.

in addition to the presence in the products of dangerous bacteria, it has also been observed discrepancy between the labeling information. So, dumplings, two brands were significantly lower in protein.

Research – Antibacterial activity and mechanism of Litsea cubeba essential oil against food contamination by Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica

Wiley Online

Litsea cubeba essential oil (LC‐EO) has been reported as antibacterial agents, but there are few studies about its possible antibacterial mechanism. The antibacterial activities and the underlying mechanisms of LC‐EO against Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Salmonella enterica were investigated. The results showed that the LC‐EO was more effective against gram‐negative bacteria. The inhibition zone for E. coli O157: H7 and S. enterica were 3.1 ± 0.8 and 4.5 ± 0.6 mm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration of LC‐EO against both bacteria was 0.9 μg/ml, while the minimum bactericidal concentrations were 4.5 and 9 μg/ml. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that citral (86.8%) was the main component of LC‐EO. The results of a time–kill analysis illustrated that treatment with LC‐EO led to a rapid decrease in viable bacterial cell number. The release of electrolytes and nucleic acids from the bacterial cells increased with the dose of LC‐EO. Propidium iodide uptake revealed that LC‐EO caused cell membrane damage. Scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy showed that LC‐EO caused damage to the cell walls and membranes, resulting in cell deformation, atrophy, and large central voids. Thus, LC‐EO may provide the basis for the development of new natural food preservatives.

Research – Intensive farming increases risk of epidemics

Science Daily

Overuse of antibiotics, high animal numbers and low genetic diversity caused by intensive farming techniques increase the likelihood of pathogens becoming a major public health risk, according to new research led by UK scientists.

An international team of researchers led by the Universities of Bath and Sheffield, investigated the evolution of Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium carried by cattle which is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in high income countries.

Campylobacter facts:

  • Causes bloody diarrhea in humans
  • Transferred to humans from eating contaminated meat and poultry
  • Although not as dangerous as typhoid, cholera or E.coli, it causes serious illness in patients with underlying health issues and can cause lasting damage.
  • Around 1 in 7 people suffer from an infection at some point in their life
  • Causes three times more cases than E.coli, Salmonella and listeria combined
  • Carried in the faeces of chickens, pigs, cattle and wild animals
  • Campylobacter is estimated to be present in the faeces of 20% cattle worldwide
  • The bug is very resistant to antibiotics due to their use in farming

The researchers, publishing in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, studied the genetic evolution of the pathogen and found that cattle-specific strains of the bacterium emerged at the same time as a dramatic rise in cattle numbers in the 20th Century.

The authors of the study suggest that changes in cattle diet, anatomy and physiology triggered gene transfer between general and cattle-specific strains with significant gene gain and loss. This helped the bacterium to cross the species barrier and infect humans, triggering a major public health problem.

Combine this with the increased movement of animals globally, intensive farming practices have provided the perfect environment in which to spread globally through trade networks.

Professor Sam Sheppard from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath, said: “There are an estimated 1.5 billion cattle on Earth, each producing around 30 kg of manure each day; if roughly 20 per cent of these are carrying Campylobacter, that amounts to a huge potential public health risk.

“Over the past few decades, there have been several viruses and pathogenic bacteria that have switched species from wild animals to humans: HIV started in monkeys; H5N1 came from birds; now Covid-19 is suspected to have come from bats.

“Our work shows that environmental change and increased contact with farm animals has caused bacterial infections to cross over to humans too.

“I think this is a wake-up call to be more responsible about farming methods, so we can reduce the risk of outbreaks of problematic pathogens in the future.”

Professor Dave Kelly from the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Sheffield said: “Human pathogens carried in animals are an increasing threat and our findings highlight how their adaptability can allow them to switch hosts and exploit intensive farming practices.”

The researchers hope that their study can help scientists predict potential problems in the future so they can be prevented before they turn into another epidemic.

RASFF Alert – E.coli – Betel Leaves

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RASFF – high count of Escherichia coli (up to 400 CFU/g) in betel leaves from Sri Lanka in the UK