Category Archives: Microbiology

Research – Extensive literature searches on bromine and Ochratoxin A in feed

Posted on April 1, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

Two Extensive Literature Searches (ELSs) by using PubMed, Web of Science (WoS) and SciFinder for relevant studies on Ochratoxin A (OTA) and bromine, bromate and bromide (BRs) in feed were performed. Search queries allowed to obtain a total number of 8,953 and 34,183 references for OTA and BRs, respectively. The relevance analysis of the documents was performed by screening titles and abstracts against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relevant references accounted in each Area, for OTA and BRs, were respectively: Area 1 (Information on analytical techniques for quantification) 117 and 117 documents, respectively; Area 2 (Information on occurrence/concentrations and formation) 176 and 176 documents, respectively; Area 3 (Information on exposure of farm and companion animals) 31 and 3 documents, respectively; Area 4 (Information on toxicokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) in farm and companion animals) 37 and 8 documents, respectively; Area 5 (Information on toxicity of OTA/BRs in farm and companion animals) 249 and 23 documents, respectively; Area 6 (Information on the transfer of OTA/BRs from feed to animal derived food) 18 and 4 documents. A total number of 618 and 100 relevant non‐redundant documents was found for OTA and BRs, respectively. Those results were obtained after the full text analysis of all the document previously labelled as relevant.

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Posted in Animal Feed, Animal Feed Mould Toxin, Animal Feed Testing, Aspergillus Toxin, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin, Ochratoxin A

Research – Contribution of MALDI-TOF-MS-based principal component analysis for distinguishing foodborne pathogens

Posted on April 1, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Abstract

Foodborne diseases are important to determine bacteria in strain level, which are analyzed by library-based devices and bioinformatics-enabled. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of principal component analysis (PCA) with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) to distinguish according to the differences of bacterial strains as rapidly screening of foodborne bacteria. The MALDI-TOF-MS-based PCA analysis was used for differentiating bacterial strains isolated from ready-to-eat foods. According to the results of PCA analysis, the percentages of distance and proximity between species were evaluated by composite correlation indexes (CCI). Bacillus cereus were detected in burghul salad (BC1) and macaroni salad (BC2) taken from the SB2-snack bar, and the similarity rate was determined as 97%. Three other B. cereus bacteria (BC3, BC4, and BC5) in the same cluster were also isolated from salads collected from SB4-snack bar. The similarity of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria, which have the codes KP1 and KP2, isolated from macaroni salad and burghul salad taken from the SB2 snack bar respectively were 96%. Additionally, the CCI values of two E. coli strains in burghul (EC1) salad and Russian salad (EC2) in the same sampling point (SB1) were determined as 97%. In conclusion, this analysis with MALDI-TOF-MS based PCA has revealed the relationships between bacteria genera and species, beyond just the identification of bacteria and the rapid screening of bacteria in perishable foodstuffs. Similarities between bacterial strains identified for different samples from the same sampling point suggested that there were not adequate hygiene rules and storage requirements were not followed.

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Posted in Bacillus cereus, Decontamination Microbial, E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Klebsiella, Malditof, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Pathogen, pathogenic

Research – Rare Recombinant GI.5[P4] Norovirus That Caused a Large Foodborne Outbreak of Gastroenteritis in a Hotel in Spain in 2021 – Food Handler

Posted on March 31, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

Journals ASM

Noroviruses are among the most important causes of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). In summer 2021, a large outbreak of norovirus infections affecting 163 patients, including 15 norovirus-confirmed food handlers, occurred in a hotel in Murcia in southeast Spain. A rare GI.5[P4] norovirus strain was identified as the cause of the outbreak.

The epidemiological investigation determined that norovirus transmission might have been initiated through an infected food handler. The food safety inspection found that some symptomatic food handlers continued working during illness. Molecular investigation with whole-genome and ORF1 sequencing provided enhanced genetic discrimination over ORF2 sequencing alone and enabled differentiation of the GI.5[P4] strains into separate subclusters, suggesting different chains of transmission. These recombinant viruses have been identified circulating globally over the last 5 years, warranting further global surveillance.

IMPORTANCE Due to the large genetic diversity of noroviruses, it is important to enhance the discriminatory power of typing techniques to differentiate strains when investigating outbreaks and elucidating transmission chains. This study highlights the importance of (i) using whole-genome sequencing to ensure genetic differentiation of GI noroviruses to track chains of transmission during outbreak investigations and (ii) the adherence of symptomatic food handlers to work exclusion rules and strict hand hygiene practices. To our knowledge, this study provides the first full-length genome sequences of GI.5[P4] strains apart from the prototype strain.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, food bourne outbreak, food handler, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hand Washing, Hepatitis A, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

St Kitts and Nevis updates guidance on acute gastro outbreak – Norovirus

Posted on March 31, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

Loop News

St Kitts and Nevis has once again addressed the issue of acute gastroenteritis on island.

The St Kitts and Nevis Information Service (SKNIS) says according to a report from the Chief Medical Officer, over the past few weeks several children and adults in the Federation have been diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis (AGE).

It notes this outbreak of AGE is not unique to St Kitts and Nevis, and that a similar trend is observed in several CARICOM member states.

It is reported the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has noted a multi-country increase in reported cases of AGE in children and adults and based on epidemiological information, the most likely cause of this AGE multi-country outbreak is Norovirus.

Norovirus was confirmed on more than one of the cruise ships travelling in the Caribbean and the UK Health Security Agency reports a sharp increase in confirmed cases of norovirus in recent weeks.

Norovirus can only be confirmed through laboratory testing.

Samples were sent off to CARPHA for analysis on Monday, March 27, 2023.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Norovirus, outbreak

Norway pushes for an exemption to EU egg shelf life rules

Posted on March 31, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Norway is hoping for an exemption to European rules on shelf-life labeling of eggs, partly because of its good Salmonella record.

In December 2022, an EU regulation entered into force that extended the period eggs can be sold to the consumer to 28 days after laying by hens. However, another change moved a provision on the best-before date for table eggs to hygiene regulations, which are part of the EEA agreement. Norway is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) but is not an EU member state. As the rule didn’t previously cover Norway, the country uses an egg shelf life of 35 days after laying.

Two ministries in Norway believe the 28-day maximum shelf life rule is justified for public health reasons in many EU member states due to the occurrence of Salmonella in eggs. However, in Norway, there is a very low incidence of Salmonella in eggs.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Salmonella, Salmonella in Eggs

USA – Listeria Outbreak Linked to Deli Meat and Cheese

Posted on March 31, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

CDC

This outbreak is over. Even when there are no ongoing Listeria outbreaks, people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system should reheat deli meat and deli-sliced cheese to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot to kill any germs.

Fast Facts

Illnesses: 16
Hospitalizations: 13
Deaths: 1
States: 6
Recall: No
Investigation status: Closed

Store with deli meat and cheese on shelves

Listeria in Deli Meat and Deli-Sliced Cheese

Deli meats (cold cuts, lunch meats, hot dogs, and pâtés) and deli-sliced cheeses are known sources of Listeria illnesses. This is because Listeria can easily spread among food, food preparation surfaces like deli slicers, and hands. Listeria is a hardy germ that can be difficult to fully remove once it is present in a deli or a food processing facility. It can survive and grow at cold temperatures in a refrigerator.

Outbreak Investigation Summary

Data showed that deli meat and cheese bought at deli counters in multiple states were the likely sources of this outbreak.

Of 12 people interviewed, 11 reported eating meat or cheese from deli counters.
The outbreak strain of Listeria was found in open packages of mortadella, ham, and salami sliced at the deli, as well as a deli in Brooklyn, New York.

A single deli or food source was not identified. It is difficult for investigators to identify the specific source of outbreaks linked to deli meats and cheeses. This is because Listeria spreads easily between food and the deli environment, and it can live for a long time in deli display cases and on equipment. A contaminated food likely introduced the outbreak strain of Listeria into delis in multiple states.

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Posted in CDC, Death, Decontamination Microbial, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

France – Nestle closes French Buitoni factory hit by E.coli outbreak

Posted on March 31, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

Reuters

PARIS, March 30 (Reuters) – Swiss packaged-food giant Nestle (NESN.S) is closing a frozen-pizza factory in northern France that saw sales fall sharply after an E. coli outbreak last year, it said on Thursday.

The group had suspended operations at the factory, which French media said employs 140 people, earlier this month.

French prosecutors last year opened a probe over the death of one person, the injuring of 14 others and breaches of food safety requirements which they alleged were linked to the E.coli outbreak at the factory, which produced frozen pizzas.

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Posted in E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

Research – Multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Virchow ST16 infections linked to the consumption of meat products containing chicken meat

Posted on March 31, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

EFSA

Abstract

Since June 2017, a persistent cross-border outbreak of Salmonella Virchow ST16 has been ongoing in five European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). A total of 210 cases have been reported from the following countries: Denmark (2), France (111), Germany (26), Ireland (4), the Netherlands (34), the UK (32), and the US (1). Among the interviewed cases (55), hospitalisation rates ranged from 16.7% (2/12) in the UK, to 29.4% (5/17) and 38.5% (10/26) in France and Germany, respectively. No deaths have been reported. A majority of cases have been linked to local restaurants serving kebab meat. The number of confirmed cases represents only a small proportion of all infections in the EU/EEA, partly due to the varying sequencing capacities of countries.

The comparison of the representative outbreak strains with the available genome profiles of S. Virchow ST16 from non-human isolates, revealed that most of the matching isolates belonged to broiler meat and broiler-related environments, thereby supporting the hypothesis of chicken meat as a vehicle of infections.

The available information from case interviews, traceback investigations, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) cluster analysis, showed that kebab meat products containing contaminated chicken meat are the likely vehicles of infections, and that the clone has been circulating in the EU poultry meat production chain at least in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. In the absence of batch numbers of the contaminated kebab products and related Salmonella testing information, the source(s) of the infections could not be established.

New infections are likely to occur in the EU/EEA affecting any age group, until further investigations are performed to identify the source(s) and point(s) of contamination along the chicken meat production chain, including the primary production upstream lines. This will allow appropriate control measures to be implemented.