Category Archives: Food Microbiology Research

Research- Monitoring of Animal Feed Contamination by Mycotoxins: Results of Five Years of Official Control by an Accredited Italian Laboratory

Posted on January 23, 2024 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Mycotoxin contamination of animal feed is a complex issue in both animal wellness and food safety. The most diffused mycotoxins subject to the official control of animal feed are Aflatoxin B1 (AF), Zearalenone (ZEA), Deoxynivalenol (DON), Ochratoxin A (OCRA), Fumonisins (FUMO), and T-2/HT-2 toxins. This work describes the results of five years of monitoring focused on the evaluation of mycotoxin contamination of animal feed. Analytical determinations were carried out by means of accredited ELISA. The obtained results showed a non-alarming scenario, with several samples resulting as “non-compliant” according to the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) set in European Regulation No. 574/2011. Out of 722 analyzed samples coming from 2 Italian regions, Apulia and Basilicata, 14 samples were characterized by mycotoxin concentrations higher than related MRL; in particular, 5, 4, and 5 non-compliant samples for DON, AF, and ZEA, respectively. This study also evaluated the possible correlations between mycotoxin type and feed use with a special focus on animal sensitivity to mycotoxins.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, DON, Food Microbiology Research, Fumomisins, Fumonsins, HT-2, mold, Mold Toxin, Mould/Mold, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin, Ochratoxin A, Research, T-2, Zearalenone

Research – Process Hygiene Criterion for Campylobacter and Number of Campylobacter Enteritis Cases in Northwest Germany

Posted on January 20, 2024 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported bacterial foodborne disease in the European Union. Its transmission is often associated with the consumption of poultry meat. In 2018, Regulation (EC) No. 2017/1495 introduced a process hygiene criterion and with this, the testing requirements for Campylobacter. The results of microbiological testing for Campylobacter of chicken carcass neck skin samples from several slaughter lines in Northwest Germany collected by the food business operators and contamination levels (cfu/g Campylobacter) of these samples were analysed from 2018 to 2021. Classification into three different categories was made based on contamination levels. The proportion of highly contaminated (category three) neck samples (>1000 cfu/g) decreased from 2018 to 2021. Our analysis showed a relationship between the number of neck samples with high Campylobacter contamination levels (>1000 cfu/g) and human cases in Northwest Germany. Spearman’s rank test (p < 0.01) showed a higher correlation in 2018 (0.66) and 2019 (0.58) compared to 2020 and 2021. Campylobacter enteritis cases in Northwest Germany stayed at a low level in 2020 and 2021. It remains unclear whether the decrease in reported Campylobacter enteritis cases is related to a decrease in Campylobacter levels on chicken carcasses or due to other reasons like underreporting during the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore must be investigated in further analyses.

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Posted in Campylobacter, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Research

Research – Outbreak Reports: A Large Acute Gastroenteritis Outbreak Associated with Both Campylobacter coli and Human Sapovirus — Beijing Municipality, China, 2021

Posted on January 20, 2024 by | Leave a comment

China CDC

Campylobacter is a significant foodborne pathogen that leads to global outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) usually affecting less than 30 individuals. Human sapovirus (HuSaV) is an enteric virus responsible for sporadic cases and outbreaks of AGE worldwide. In a study conducted in Beijing, HuSaV detection ranked second after norovirus.

What is added by this report?

We present a discussion of the first large-scale outbreak of AGE caused by both Campylobacter coli (C. coli) and HuSaV. The outbreak involved a total of 996 patients and exhibited two distinct peaks over a period of 17 days. Through case-control studies, we identified exposure to raw water from a secondary water supply system as a significant risk factor. Among 83 patients, 49 samples tested positive for C. coli, 39 samples tested positive for HuSaV, and 27 samples tested positive for both pathogens using real-time polymerase chain reaction detection. Furthermore, whole-genome sequencing of 17 C. coli isolates obtained from 17 patients revealed that all isolates belonged to a highly clonal strain of C. coli.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Outbreaks of AGE resulting from multiple pathogen infections warrant increased attention. This report emphasizes the significance of ensuring the safety of drinking water, particularly in secondary supply systems.

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Posted in Campylobacter, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Microbiology Research, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Research, Sapovirus

Research – Vibrio metschnikovii as an emergent pathogen: analyses of phylogeny and O-antigen and identification of possible virulence characteristics

Posted on January 20, 2024 by | Leave a comment

PubMed

Vibrio metschnikovii is an emergent pathogen that causes human infections which may be fatal. However, the phylogenetic characteristics and pathogenicity determinants of V. metschnikovii are poorly understood. Here, the whole-genome features of 103 V. metschnikovii strains isolated from different sources are described. On phylogenetic analysis V. metschnikovii populations could be divided into two major lineages, defined as lineage 1 (L1) and 2 (L2), of which L1 was more likely to be associated with human activity. Meanwhile, we defined 29 V. metschnikovii O-genotypes (VMOg, named VMOg1-VMOg29) by analysis of the O-antigen biosynthesis gene clusters (O-AGCs). Most VMOgs (VMOg1 to VMOg28) were assembled by the Wzx/Wzy pathway, while only VMOg29 used the ABC transporter pathway. Based on the sequence variation of the wzx and wzt genes, an in silico O-genotyping system for V. metschnikovii was developed. Furthermore, nineteen virulence-associated factors involving 161 genes were identified within the V. metschnikovii genomes, including genes encoding motility, adherence, toxins, and secretion systems. In particular, V. metschnikovii was found to promote a high level of cytotoxicity through the synergistic action of the lateral flagella and T6SS. The lateral flagellar-associated flhA gene played an important role in the adhesion and colonization of V. metschnikovii during the early stages of infection. Overall, this study provides an enhanced understanding of the genomic evolution, O-AGCs diversity, and potential pathogenic features of V. metschnikovii.

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Posted in Emerging Pathogen, Food Microbiology Research, Food Pathogen, pathogenic, Research, Vibrio, Vibrio metschnikovii

EFSA Research -Persistence of microbiological hazards in food and feed production and processing environments

Posted on January 19, 2024 by | Leave a comment

EFSA

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes (in the meat, fish and seafood, dairy and fruit and vegetable sectors), Salmonella enterica (in the feed, meat, egg and low moisture food sectors) and Cronobacter sakazakii (in the low moisture food sector) were identified as the bacterial food safety hazards most relevant to public health that are associated with persistence in the food and feed processing environment (FFPE). There is a wide range of subtypes of these hazards involved in persistence in the FFPE. While some specific subtypes are more commonly reported as persistent, it is currently not possible to identify universal markers (i.e. genetic determinants) for this trait. Common risk factors for persistence in the FFPE are inadequate zoning and hygiene barriers; lack of hygienic design of equipment and machines; and inadequate cleaning and disinfection. A well-designed environmental sampling and testing programme is the most effective strategy to identify contamination sources and detect potentially persistent hazards. The establishment of hygienic barriers and measures within the food safety management system, during implementation of hazard analysis and critical control points, is key to prevent and/or control bacterial persistence in the FFPE. Once persistence is suspected in a plant, a ‘seek-and-destroy’ approach is frequently recommended, including intensified monitoring, the introduction of control measures and the continuation of the intensified monitoring. Successful actions triggered by persistence of L. monocytogenes are described, as well as interventions with direct bactericidal activity. These interventions could be efficient if properly validated, correctly applied and verified under industrial conditions. Perspectives are provided for performing a risk assessment for relevant combinations of hazard and food sector to assess the relative public health risk that can be associated with persistence, based on bottom-up and top-down approaches. Knowledge gaps related to bacterial food safety hazards associated with persistence in the FFPE and priorities for future research are provided.

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Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, Food Microbiology Research, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, food safety training, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Research

Information – Legionnaires’ disease (legionellosis)

Posted on January 19, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Health NZ

Legionnaires’ disease is a chest infection (pneumonia) caused by the Legionella bacteria. People usually catch the disease by breathing in water droplets that contain the bacteria from sources like soil, compost, potting mix, or spa pools and water systems.

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Posted in Food Microbiology Research, Legionella, Legionnaires’ disease, Research

Research – Deep Impact: Shifts of Native Cultivable Microbial Communities on Fresh Lettuce after Treatment with Plasma-Treated Water

Posted on January 19, 2024 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Foods consumed raw, such as lettuce, can host food-borne human-pathogenic bacteria. In the worst-case, these diseases cause to death. To limit illness and industrial losses, one innovative sanitation method is non-thermal plasma, which offers an extremely efficient reduction of living microbial biomass. Unfortunately, the total viable count (TVC), one of the most common methods for quantifying antimicrobial effects, provides no detailed insights into the composition of the surviving microbial community after treatment. To address this information gap, different special agars were used to investigate the reduction efficiency of plasma-treated water (PTW) on different native cultivable microorganisms. All tested cultivable microbial groups were reduced using PTW. Gram-negative bacteria showed a reduction of 3.81 log10, and Gram-positive bacteria showed a reduction of 3.49 log10. Fungi were reduced by 3.89 log10. These results were further validated using a live/dead assay. MALDI-ToF (matrix-assisted laser-desorption-ionization time-of-flight)-based determination was used for a diversified overview. The results demonstrated that Gram-negative bacteria were strongly reduced. Interestingly, Gram-positive bacteria and fungi were reduced by nearly equal amounts, but could still recover from PTW treatment. MALDI-ToF mainly identified Pseudomonas spp. and groups of Bacillus on the tested lettuce. These results indicate that the PTW treatment could efficiently achieve a ubiquitous, spectrum-wide reduction of microbial life.

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, Food Microbiology Research, Food Pathogen, Gram Negative Bacteria, Malditof, Pathogen, pathogenic, Pseudomonas, Research

Research- New insights into what helps Salmonella cause infections

Posted on January 19, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Science Daily

Salmonella is notorious for surviving and replicating in macrophages, which are normally lethal to invading bacteria because of their inhospitable environment. In a new study, researchers have discovered how a system of proteins, called TamAB, helps Salmonella survive under the harsh conditions inside macrophages.

Salmonella is a foodborne pathogen that causes more than a million infections each year in the U.S. Concerningly, it can kill young, old, and immunocompromised individuals.

What makes these bacteria especially dangerous is their ability to evade our immune responses. Read More at the Link Above

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Posted in Food Microbiology Research, Research, Salmonella, salmonellosis

USA – Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Dry Dog Food

Posted on January 16, 2024 by | Leave a comment

CDC

This outbreak investigation is over, but the recalled pet foods have long shelf lives. Check your home for the recalled pet food and don’t feed it to pets.

Fast Facts

Illnesses: 7

Hospitalizations: 1

Deaths: 0

States: 7

Recall: Yes

Investigation status: Closed   (first posted on November 9, 2023)

Mid America Pet Food

  • All dog and cat food
  • Best by dates before 10/31/2024
  • Brands include: Victor Super Premium Dog Foods, Wayne Feeds Dog Food, Eagle Mountain Pet food, Member’s Mark
  • Multiple bag sizes including: 5 pound, 15 pound, 16 pound, 30 pound, 40 pound, and 50 pound
  • See recall for more details

Victor brand Hi-Pro Plus dog food

  • 5-pound bags with lot code 1000016385
  • Best-by date 4/30/2024
  • See recall for more details

Victor brand Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula

  • 5 pound, 15 pound, and 40 pound bags
  • Best-by date 6/12/2024
  • Lot numbers 1000016890, 1000016891, 1000016892
  • See recall for more details

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Microbiology Research, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Pet Food, Pet Food Illness, Pet Food Recall, Pet Food Salmonella, Pet Food Testing, Research, Salmonella Dog Food

Research – ECDC – Giardiasis – Annual Epidemiological Report 2018

Posted on January 13, 2024 by | Leave a comment

ECDC

In 2018, 21 049 confirmed giardiasis cases were reported in the EU/EEA. The EU/EEA notification rate was 5.6 cases per 100 000 population. The highest notification rates were reported in Belgium, Bulgaria and Sweden. The highest notification rate per 100 000 population was observed in the age group 0–4 years (17.2 for males and 14.4 for females). While the EU/EEA notification rate was stable from 2014 to 2018, the annual number of cases has increased steadily.

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Posted in Food Microbiology Research, Giardia, Research