In one of the first studies to establish the land-to-sea transmission of a human pathogen, scientists have detected high levels of a human bacterial strain in gray seals. The study also suggests these bacteria may make some seals sick.
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Tag Archives: transmission
Research – Chronobacter – Possible reservoir and routes of transmission of Cronobacter (Enterobacter sakazakii) via wheat flour
Contamination of food products is a major route of transmission for opportunistic foodborne pathogen. Cronobacter spp. (formerly Enterobacter sakazakii) are an important group of emerging opportunistic foodborne pathogens that may cause rare but severe systemic infection such as neonatal meningitis, septicemia, and enterocolitis in neonates. Here, we tried to investigate the possible natural reservoir and routes of transmission of this pathogen. Samples of food (N = 141) were screened for the presence of the bacterium, and 34 isolates of Cronobacter spp. were collected in total. Of the initial of 108 samples including infant formulas, dry milk powder, milk and milk related beverages, cereal (products), chocolate and candy, miscellaneous food products, 12% were positive for Cronobacter spp., with the highest percentage (69.3%) coming from cereal products. Further investigation indicated that 100% of 13 wheat flours, 5 of 8 (62.5%) wheat kernel samples, 100% of 5 different brands of dry noodles, and 3 of 7 (42.9%) deep-frozen dumpling samples contained Cronobacter spp. Biochemical analysis (ID32E strips) of the 34 isolates resulted in 11 different biogroups based on the utilization of 8 substrates. In addition, pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) demonstrated extremely high genetic diversity as 24 unique PFGE profiles were revealed among the 25 isolates acquired mainly from wheat flour or related products. We therefore conclude that wheat flour is one likely reservoir and/or transmission route for Cronobacter spp., and special care should be taken while preparing infant foods or formulas in order to avoid cross-contamination from this source.
Research – Study Warns Kitchens May Carry Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria
Study warns kitchens may carry multi-drug resistant bacteria
Prefer spicy restaurant food over home-made delicacies? Get alarmed as hands of food preparers and chopping boards remain a source of transmission for multi-drug resistant bacteria such as E coli, a study warns.
“The spread of multi-drug resistant bacteria has been associated with the hospital setting, but new findings suggest that transmission of drug-resistant E coli occurs both in hospitals and kitchens,” explained Andreas Widmer from University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland.
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Tagged food preparers, kitchens, multi-drug, restaurant food, transmission
Research – Norovirus Updates
Human norovirus (NoV) contaminated hands are important routes for transmission. Quantitative data on transfer during contact with surfaces and food are scarce but necessary for a quantitative risk assessment. Therefore, transfer of MNV1 and human NoVs GI.4 and GII.4 was studied by artificially contaminating human finger pads, followed by pressing on stainless steel and Trespa® surfaces and also on whole tomatoes and cucumber slices. In addition, clean finger pads were pressed on artificially contaminated stainless steel and Trespa® surfaces. The transfers were performed at a pressure of 0.8–1.9 kg/cm2 for approximately 2 s up to 7 sequential transfers either to carriers or to food products. MNV1 infectivity transfer from finger pads to stainless steel ranged from 13 ± 16% on the first to 0.003 ± 0.009% on the sixth transfer on immediate transfer. After 10 min of drying, transfer was reduced to 0.1 ± 0.2% on the first transfer to 0.013 ± 0.023% on the fifth transfer. MNV1 infectivity transfer from stainless steel and Trespa® to finger pads after 40 min of drying was 2.0 ± 2.0% and 4.0 ± 5.0% respectively. MNV1 infectivity was transferred 7 ± 8% to cucumber slices and 0.3 ± 0.5% to tomatoes after 10 min of drying, where the higher transfer to cucumber was probably due to the higher moisture content of the cucumber slices. Similar results were found for NoVs GI.4 and GII.4 transfers measured in PCR units. The results indicate that transfer of the virus is possible even after the virus is dried on the surface of hands or carriers. Furthermore, the role of fingers in transmission of NoVs was quantified and these data can be useful in risk assessment models and to establish target levels for efficacy of transmission intervention methods.
The duration of immunity to norovirus (NoV) gastroenteritis has been believed to be from 6 months to 2 years. However, several observations are inconsistent with this short period. To gain better estimates of the duration of immunity to NoV, we developed a mathematical model of community NoV transmission. The model was parameterized from the literature and also fit to age-specific incidence data from England and Wales by using maximum likelihood. We developed several scenarios to determine the effect of unknowns regarding transmission and immunity on estimates of the duration of immunity. In the various models, duration of immunity to NoV gastroenteritis was estimated at 4.1 (95% CI 3.2–5.1) to 8.7 (95% CI 6.8–11.3) years. Moreover, we calculated that children (<5 years) are much more infectious than older children and adults. If a vaccine can achieve protection for duration of natural immunity indicated by our results, its potential health and economic benefits could be substantial.
We report an increase in the proportion of genotype GI.6 norovirus outbreaks in the United States from 1.4% in 2010 to 7.7% in 2012 (p<0.001). Compared with non-GI.6 outbreaks, GI.6 outbreaks were characterized by summer seasonality, foodborne transmission, and non–health care settings.
After the substantial decrease in acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children caused by rotavirus after introduction of 2 rotavirus vaccines (1), norovirus has become the leading cause of medically attended AGE in US children <5 years of age (2). We describe the clinical characteristics of norovirus disease and assessed whether rotavirus vaccine protected against norovirus AGE.
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