Category Archives: Pathogen

Research – Worldwide emergence of resistance to antifungal drugs challenges human health and food security

Science Mag  

 

The recent rate of emergence of pathogenic fungi that are resistant to the limited number of commonly used antifungal agents is unprecedented. The azoles, for example, are used not only for human and animal health care and crop protection but also in antifouling coatings and timber preservation. The ubiquity and multiple uses of azoles have hastened the independent evolution of resistance in many environments. One consequence is an increasing risk in human health care from naturally occurring opportunistic fungal pathogens that have acquired resistance to this broad class of chemicals. To avoid a global collapse in our ability to control fungal infections and to avoid critical failures in medicine and food security, we must improve our stewardship of extant chemicals, promote new antifungal discovery, and leverage emerging technologies for alternative solutions.

Research – Effects of Bacterial Dose and Fly Sex on Persistence and Excretion of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium From Adult House Flies (Musca domestica L.; Diptera: Muscidae)

Oxford Academic fly

Abstract

Salmonella Typhimurium (Le Minor and Popoff 1987; Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae) is a pathogen that causes gastroenteritis in humans and can be harbored by house flies. Factors influencing excretion of S. Typhimurium from infected flies have not been elucidated but are essential for assessing transmission potential. We determined the persistence and excretion of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressing strain of S. Typhimurium from house flies. Individual male and female flies were fed either sterile Luria-Bertani (LB) broth (controls) or cultures of “high” (~105 colony forming units [CFU]) or “low” (~104 CFU) doses of bacteria (treatments). Bacterial persistence was determined over 16 h by culturing whole-fly homogenate. Both sex and dose affected persistence between 6 and 12 h postingestion. In a separate experiment, fly excretion events were monitored during this time interval and excreta droplets were individually cultured for bacteria. Female flies had more excretion events than males across treatments. We observed interactions of fly sex and bacterial abundance (dose), both on the proportion of Salmonella-positive droplets and the CFU shed per droplet (CFU/droplet). In the low-dose treatment, males excreted a greater proportion of positive droplets than females. In the high-dose treatment, males excreted more CFU/droplet than females. High-dose male flies excreted more CFU/droplet than low-dose males, but low-dose females excreted more CFU/droplet than high-dose females. Irrespective of sex, low-dose flies excreted a greater dose-adjusted CFU (CFU droplet/CFU fed) than high-dose flies. This study demonstrates that both bacterial abundance and fly sex may influence excretion of bacteria from flies, and should be considered when assessing the risk of house fly transmission of pathogens.

USA – Crackers Recall – Salmonella

Food Safety News Salm

Glutino, a division of GFA Brands Inc. based in Paramus, NJ, is voluntarily recalling Glutino Rosemary and Olive Oil Snack Crackers because the seasoning supplier, Kerry Ingredients, recalled the seasoning blend due to possible Salmonella contamination.

The recalled Glutino Rosemary and Olive Oil Snack Crackers were distributed nationally through retail and warehouse club stores. The product affected is sold in a 4.25-ounce and a 20-ounce opaque white box with a “Best By” date of Oct. 26, 2014, stamped on the top of the box.

No illnesses have been reported to date with consumption of this product.

USA – FDA Recalls – Chia Powder – Salmonella – Lamb Dog Treats – Salmonella – Minced Crab Meat – Listeria monocytogenes

FDA FDA

Navitas Naturals, the Superfood Company is voluntarily recalling products which contain Organic Sprouted Chia Powder due to possible health risks related to Salmonella contamination. “We have chosen to voluntarily recall products containing Organic Sprouted Chia Powder with the goal of utmost safety for our consumers” stated Zach Adelman, Navitas Naturals CEO.

FDA

Pet Center, Inc of Los Angeles, CA. is voluntarily recalling its 3 oz bag of Lamb Crunchy’s dog treats (LAM-003) (UPC# 727348200038) with date code 122015 product of USA, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

FDA

East Providence, RI – Rome Packing Co., Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of Ocean’s Catch brand minced crab meat after routine product sampling by the company determined some of the finished products may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Listeria monocytogenes, is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Australia/New Zealand – Proposal P1017 – Criteria for Listeria monocytogenes – Microbiological Limits for Foods

FSANZ FSANZ3

This Proposal seeks to update Standard 1.6.1 with regards to criteria for Listeria monocytogenes limits in ready-to-eat foods; aligning with international (Codex) standards, Food Safety and Primary Production and Processing Standards and associated FSANZ guidance material.

Full information and documents from the link above.

Australia – FSANZ Recall – Chicken Liver Pate – Listeria monocytogenes

FSANZ FSANZ3

Just Entrees Pty Ltd has recalled their own brand Chicken Liver Pate, Brandy Port and Sage from Coles supermarkets TAS and VIC due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Listeria may cause illness in pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly and people with low immune systems.

Consumers should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

USA – FDA Recall -Ground Annato Spice – Salmonella

FDA Salm2

Miravalle Foods, Inc. of El Monte, CA, is conducting a voluntarily recall on its 0.75 ounce packages of Miravalle brand Achiote Molido Ground Annato spice because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled packages of Ground Annato 0.75 oz. were distributed in California, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Nevada, Washington and Oregon, in retail stores.

The product comes in a 0.75 ounce, clear plastic package marked with lot # 0015 & #0018 on the top of the UPC number (712810005020).

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

USA – FDA – Three Salmonella Recalls – Black Peppercorns – Cat Growth Formula – Sweet Basil

FDA

FDA

Frontier Natural Products Co-op is voluntarily recalling several of its products manufactured with organic black peppercorns that were sold under its Frontier and Simply Organic brands, Whole Foods Market 365 Everyday Value, Nature’s Place and others due to potential Salmonella contamination. To date, no illnesses have been associated with these products.

While the product in question was steam pasteurized at the source and tested negative for Salmonella by Frontier Natural Products Co-op, there is a small risk that Salmonella may still be present based on a positive, random test that was recently conducted. Frontier Natural Products Co-op is immediately initiating added precautions to the safety of the supply chain to mitigate any future occurrence.

FDA

The Robert Abady Dog Food Co., LLC of Poughkeepsie, NY, is recalling its 2 lb, 5 lb & 15 lb boxes of “Abady Highest Quality Maintenance & Growth Formula for Cats” because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The recalled “Highest Quality Maintenance & Growth Formula for Cats” were distributed nationwide in retail stores and through mail orders.

The product comes in a 2 lb, 5 lb & 15 lb, corrugated boxes with plastic liners marked with lot # 14029/21 stamped on the right side top of the box.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

FDA

Lisy Corporation of Miami, FL is voluntarily recalling Lisy Sweet Basil (Albahaca), 6 oz jar, Item #1132, Lot #’s A013 0518 & A014 0518, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.

Lisy Sweet Basil- 6oz, bottle, UPC Code 0 96786 30032 8 began distribution on 01/15/2014 in retail stores in the states of New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Maryland.

USA – Yet Another Norovirus Cruise Ship Outbreak

USA Todaynorovirus-2(1)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Officials say more than three dozen people are possibly ill with the highly contagious Norovirus while onboard a cruise ship sailing to ports in California.

Princess Cruises spokeswoman Karen Candy says about 37 passengers on the Crown Princess reported being sick while the ship was in San Francisco on Monday

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella -Dog Chew – Aflatoxin – Popcorn – Norovirus – Clams – STEC E.coli – Raw Milk

RASFF-Logo

RASFF – Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) and high count of Enterobacteriaceae (1.5*10² CFU/g) in dog chew from Thailand in Spain

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 1937; Tot. = 2569 µg/kg – ppb) in popcorn from Argentina in Italy

RASFF -norovirus in frozen blanched clams (Meretrix Lyrata) from Vietnam in Spain

RASFF -shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (stx+ ; eae+ /25g) in raw milk from Belgium in Belgium