Category Archives: Food Microbiology Research

English Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs from Poland

Food Safety News

hazegg.jpg

A Salmonella outbreak in England that sickened more than 60 people earlier this year has been linked to eggs from Poland.

Samples from patients are also similar to previously reported isolates that fall into a cluster that is part of several national and international investigations.

There were 65 cases associated with the English outbreak; 25 confirmed and 18 probable infections linked to a restaurant, ten confirmed with unknown links to the establishment, and 12 with no link to the restaurant.

The outbreak linked to the unnamed restaurant was reported to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) East of England Health Protection Team in early April. UKHSA was notified of multiple cases of gastroenteritis following food consumption at the site, with attendance or takeaway dates in late March, according to a study published in the journal Eurosurveillance.

Research – Molecular and Genetic Characterization of Colicinogenic Escherichia coli Strains Active against Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7

MDPI

Abstract

The objective of this work was to molecularly and genotypically characterize and test the inhibitory activity of six colicinogenic Escherichia coli strains (ColEc) and their partially purified colicins against STEC O157:H7 isolated from clinical human cases. Inhibition tests demonstrated the activity of these strains and their colicins against STEC O157:H7. By PCR it was possible to detect colicins Ia, E7, and B and microcins M, H47, C7, and J25. By genome sequencing of two selected ColEc strains, it was possible to identify additional colicins such as E1 and Ib. No genes coding for stx1 and stx2 were detected after analyzing the genome sequence. The inhibitory activity of ColEc against STEC O157:H7 used as an indicator showed that colicins are potent growth inhibitors of E. coli O157:H7, being a potential alternative to reduce the presence of pathogens of public health relevance.

Research – Antibacterial Effects of Theaflavins against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella paratyphi B: Role of Environmental Factors and Food Matrices

MDPI

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different environmental factors (temperature, pH, and NaCl) and food matrices (skimmed milk powder, lecithin, and sucrose) on the antibacterial activity of theaflavins (TFs) against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Salmonella paratyphi B (S. paratyphi B). TFs showed a larger diameter of inhibition zone (DIZ, 12.58 ± 0.09 mm–16.36 ± 0.12 mm) value against S. aureus than that of S. paratyphi B (12.42 ± 0.43 mm–15.81 ± 0.24 mm) at the same concentration (2–10 mg/mL). When temperatures were 25–121 °C, the DIZ of TFs against both S. aureus and S. paratyphi B was not significantly different. As pH increased from 2 to 10, their DIZ values decreased significantly from 16.78 ± 0.23 mm to 13.43 ± 0.08 mm and 15.63 ± 0.42 mm to 12.18 ± 0.14 mm, respectively. Their DIZ values increased slightly as the NaCl concentration increased from 0.2 mol/L to 0.8 mol/L, while their DIZ values decreased significantly for skimmed milk powder concentrations in the range of 60–120 g/L. Regarding the concentrations of lecithin and sucrose were 2–12 g/L and 10–60 g/L, their DIZ values showed no significant change against S. paratyphi B, but an increased trend for S. aureus. Under the above different environmental factors and food matrices, TFs maintained excellent antibacterial activity against S. aureus and S. paratyphi B, providing a theoretical guidance for applying TFs as novel antibacterial additives in the food industry.

Australia – Research – A1243 Harmonisation of marine biotoxin standards for bivalve shellfish 

FSANZ

To review the current biotoxin (DST and PST) maximum levels (MLs) for bivalve molluscs in Schedule 19 to Standard 1.4.1 of the Code, with the aim of harmonising with Codex MLs for bivalve molluscs (CXS 292-2008).​

​ Call for submissions ​​​

Call for submissions (pdf 507 kb)​​(word 156 kb)

Supporting document 1 – known cases(pdf 302 kb)​​​(word 132 kb)

Supporting document 2 – costs and benefits(pdf 402 kb)​​​​  (word 138 kb)​​​

Administrative Assessment – 23 December 2021(pdf 235 kb)​​​​  (word 65.8 kb)​​​

Executive Summary (pdf 221 kb) ​​

Application (pdf 11.6 mb) ​​

Application – additional information (pdf 349 kb) ​​​

Applications published on our website may contain material owned by a third party. If you wish to re-use third party material, you may need to seek permission from the copyright owner.​​​​​​​

Research -Holistic Strategies to Control Salmonella Infantis: An Emerging Challenge in the European Broiler Sector

MDPI

Abstract

Salmonella spp. has been globally recognized as one of the leading causes of acute human bacterial gastroenteritis resulting from the consumption of animal-derived products. Salmonella Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, and its monophasic variant are the main serovars responsible for human disease. However, a serovar known as S. Infantis has emerged as the fourth most prevalent serovar associated with human disease. A total of 95% of isolated S. Infantis serovars originate from broilers and their derived products. This serovar is strongly associated with an elevated antimicrobial (AMR) and multidrug resistance, a resistance to disinfectants, an increased tolerance to environmental mercury, a heightened virulence, and an enhanced ability to form biofilms and attach to host cells. Furthermore, this serovar harbors genes that confer resistance to colistin, a last-resort antibiotic in human medicine, and it has the potential to acquire additional transferable AMR against other critically important antimicrobials, posing a new and significant challenge to global public health. This review provides an overview of the current status of the S. Infantis serovar in the poultry sector, focusing on its key virulence factors, including its virulence genes, antimicrobial resistance, and biofilm formation. Additionally, novel holistic strategies for controlling S. Infantis along the entire food chain are presented in this review.

Nine Kano pilgrims had food poisoning in Saudi Arabia – NAHCON

Premium Times Nigeria

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said at least nine pilgrims from Kano had food poisoning in Saudi Arabia.

NAHCON said contrary to reports that there was a cholera outbreak among pilgrims from Kano, nine pilgrims had diarrhoea after eating unhygienic delicacies from local food vendors in Mecca.

“A temporary surveillance clinic was opened at the affected house when about nine pilgrims suffered from mostly diarrhoea which medical checks and investigations confirmed to be food poison from a local delicacy.

Research – Identification of genetic variations related to pathogenicity by whole genome sequencing of Listeria monocytogenes SMFM2019-FV16 isolated from enoki mushroom

Wiley Online

Abstract

In this study, the characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) collected from May to July 2019 were analyzed. The isolates were analyzed for strain characteristics, hemolysis, antibiotic resistance, heat resistance, and virulence genes (inlAinlBactAplcB, and hlyA) were analyzed, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis was performed for the strain with the highest risk. Seven isolates were obtained from some enoki mushroom samples. All isolates were β-hemolytic and had virulence genes. Antibiotic resistance test showed multi-drug resistance in Lmonocytogenes strain SMFM2019-FV15 and SMFM2019-FV16. Lmonocytogenes SMFM2019-FV16 showed higher heat resistance than the other isolates. According to the results Lmonocytogenes SMFM2019-FV16 was selected as the strain with the highest risk. WGS for Lmonocytogenes SMFM2019-FV16 showed that it had 14 antibiotic resistance genes and 43 virulence genes, and 35 single nucleotide variants in the 43 virulence genes were observed. These results indicate that these genetic variations might be related to the high risk of Lmonocytogenes SMFM2019-FV16.

Research – Breakthrough peptide research to combat bacterial biofilms

Science Daily

Researchers have developed peptides that can help combat bacteria growing in biofilms, which occur in up to 80% of human infections. The team of researchers have developed antimicrobial peptides that can target the harmful bacteria growing in biofilms.

UK – e-Bug

UKSHA

Evidence-based teaching resources

Use e-Bug lesson plans to teach about hygiene, microbes, vaccinations, and antimicrobial resistance from ages 3-16. The lesson plans are developed in collaboration with teachers and scientists, and are accredited by The Association for Science Education.

The descriptive transcript for the video is available here.

Research – Student develops a sensor that can detect when food has spoiled

Food Safety News

A graduate student at Southern Methodist University (SMU), has developed a miniature pH sensor that can detect when food has spoiled in real-time.

The 2-millimeter long and 10-millimeter wide flexible pH sensor is designed to be incorporated into food packaging, such as plastic wrapping. Traditional pH meters are too bulky to be included in every package of food to monitor freshness in real-time.

“The pH sensors we developed work like a small wireless radio-frequency identification device – similar to what you find inside your luggage tag after it has been checked at airports or inside your SMU IDs. Every time a food package with our device passes a checkpoint, such as shipping logistics centers, harbors, gates, or supermarkets’ entrances, they could get scanned and the data could be sent back to a server tracking their pH levels,” Khengdauliu Chawang, graduate student and lead creator of the device, said.