Foodborne Research Articles

DETECTION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERNS OF FOODBORNE BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL PATHOGENS

Background: Foodborne diseases are verry common and easily spread, among strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Clostridium spp. Purpose: To isolate and characterize foodborne pathogenic bacteria and fungi in various foodstuffs. Method: A total of 260 samples (130 each from Peshawar and Mardan) were collected and analyzed. Only 61 tested positive for various types of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Then evaluated for their antibiotic/anti-fungal sensitivity patterns towards a panel of selected antibiotics and anti-fungal. Result: The Gram-positive isolates showed the highest resistance to methicillin (79%) and amoxicillin (63%), most sensitive to ceftriaxone (88%), levofloxacin (86%), and cefotaxime (77%). Intermediate activities were exhibited by azithromycin (50%) and vancomycin (55%). In terms of the Gram-negative bacteria, the best activities were shown by ciprofloxacin (100%), cefoxitin (100%), chloramphenicol (100%), and ceclor (100%). Intermediate activity was discovered for cefixime (50%), cefuroxime (50%), and linezolid (50%). Three anti-fungal drugs (fluconazole, voriconazole, and nystatin) were used to assess their potency against the fungal pathogens. Mucor spp. proved relatively more susceptible to all anti-fungal drugs. The only Fusarium spp. isolate was highly resistant to all anti-fungal in this research. Conclusion: The prevalence of Gram-positive bacteria is greater than Gram-negative bacteria in the current study. The frequency of fungal pathogens was relatively high in both raw and ready-to-eat foods, while packaged foods were free from fungal contamination. We recommend that appropriate safety when handling and cooking food. Moreover, food products should be screened for different pathogenic microbes.

Myocarditis and pericarditis in young patients following Campylobacter jejuni enterocolitis infection: a systematic review of case studies

BackgroundCampylobacter is known to be the leading cause of foodborne illness. Campylobacter jejuni, specifically, most commonly causes self-limiting enterocolitis, but infection can lead to extraintestinal manifestations, including rare yet severe cardiac complications, such as myocarditis and/or pericarditis. This review aims to determine whether a relationship exists between the timing of a positive stool culture and the overall clinical course in patients with Campylobacter jejuni-associated myocarditis and/or pericarditis.MethodsA systematic search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL Ultimate, Academic Search Premier, and Nursing and Allied Health Premium databases. A gray literature search was also performed. Covidence.org was used to screen, select, and extract data by two independent reviewers. Following a full-text evaluation, the quality of each study was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Reports.ResultsThe search resulted in 434 records, of which 7 case reports met the inclusion criteria, each study including one patient. The average number of days from hospital presentation to obtaining a stool sample was 1.7. The average number of days from stool culture obtainment to clinical course improvement was 3.3, with four case studies reporting a range of 2–4 days.ConclusionThis systematic review raises awareness regarding the manifestations of Campylobacter jejuni, specifically the severe cardiac symptoms that may present in young individuals. Given the significant sequelae that can develop, providers must elicit a thorough history consisting of questions related to recent travel, food consumption, and gastrointestinal symptoms, especially among young individuals presenting with cardiac complaints.

Inactivation of deposited bioaerosols on food contact surfaces with UV-C light emitting diode devices.

The airborne transmission of infectious diseases and bioaerosol-induced cross-contamination pose significant challenges in the food, dairy, and pharma industries. This study evaluated the effectiveness of 279 nm UV-C LED irradiation for decontaminating bioaerosols, specifically containing microorganisms such as Escherichia coli (C3040- Kanamycin resistant), Salmonella Enteritidis (ATCC 4931), and Pseudomonas fragi (ATCC 4973), on food contact surfaces. Borosilicate glass, silicon rubber, and stainless steel (316L) surfaces were selected for experimentation for their usage in the food industry. A 50 µL cell suspension was aerosolized at 25 psi pressure using a 4-jet BLAM Nebulizer within a customized glass chamber and then deposited onto the surface of the coupons. The serial dilution approach was used for the microbial enumeration, followed by duplicate plating. With a low Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and high R2 values, the biphasic kinetic model for UV-C inactivation curves of all three pathogens demonstrated the excellent goodness of fit parameters. At a UV-C dose of 6 mJ cm-2, glass surfaces showed the maximum microbial inactivation (i.e., 2.80, 3.81, and 3.56 log CFU/mL for E. coli, Salmonella, and P. fragi, respectively). Stainless steel and silicon rubber surfaces showed significant microbial inactivation, but log10 reductions observed were consistently lower than glass surface. Our research indicates that UV-C LEDs (279 nm) can effectively disinfect bioaerosols on food contact surfaces.IMPORTANCEFood safety is a major public health concern, with contaminated food causing serious illnesses. UV-C light, used for germicidal action, is effective in disinfecting surfaces and is not subject to the same strict legal restrictions as chemical disinfectants, simplifying compliance with food safety regulations. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of UV-C (279 nm) LED systems for inactivation of surface-deposited bioaerosols of kanamycin-resistant Escherichia coli (C3040), Salmonella Enteritidis (ATCC 4931), and Pseudomonas fragi (ATCC 4973). The research outcomes can be used to develop UV-based surface disinfection systems to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses and enhance safety in high-traffic food preparation areas.

Demographic Characteristics and County-level Indicators of Social Vulnerability in Salmonellosis Outbreaks Linked to Ground Beef—United States, 2012–2018

Ground beef is a common source of US Salmonella illnesses and outbreaks. However, the demographic and socioeconomic factors that are related to risk in ground beef-associated outbreaks of Salmonella infections are poorly understood. We describe the individual-level demographic characteristics and county-level indicators of social vulnerability for people infected with Salmonella linked to outbreaks associated with ground beef in the United States during 2012–2018. Non-Hispanic (NH) White and NH American Indian/Alaska Native persons, and people living in nonmetropolitan areas, were overrepresented among people in salmonellosis outbreaks linked to ground beef. Case patients disproportionately resided in counties with high social vulnerability, suggesting that one or more community social risk factors may contribute to or be associated with some food safety risks. Collecting and analyzing socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of people in outbreaks can help identify disparities in foodborne disease, which can be further characterized and inform equity-focused interventions.

Neutrophil prime unique transcriptional responses in intestinal organoids during infection with nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica serovars.

Nontyphoidal strains of Salmonella enterica are a major cause of foodborne illnesses, and infection with these bacteria results in inflammatory gastroenteritis. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), also known as neutrophils, are a dominant immune cell type found at the site of infection in Salmonella-infected individuals, but how they regulate infection outcome is not well understood. Here, we used a co-culture model of primary human PMNs and human intestinal organoids to probe the role of PMNs during infection with two of the most prevalent Salmonella serovars: Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and Typhimurium. Using a transcriptomics approach, we identified a dominant role for PMNs in mounting differential immune responses including production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and antimicrobial peptides. We also identified specific gene sets that were induced by PMNs in response to Enteritidis or Typhimurium infection. By comparing host responses to these serovars, we uncovered differential regulation of host metabolic pathways particularly induction of cholesterol biosynthetic pathways during Typhimurium infection and suppression of RNA metabolism during Enteritidis infection. Together, these findings provide insight into the role of human PMNs in modulating different host responses to pathogens that cause similar disease in humans.IMPORTANCENontyphoidal serovars of Salmonella enterica are known to induce robust recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in the gut during early stages of infection, but the specific role of PMNs in regulating infection outcome of different serovars is poorly understood. Due to differences in human infection progression compared to small animal models, characterizing the role of PMNs during infection has been challenging. Here, we used a co-culture model of human intestinal organoids with human primary PMNs to study the role of PMNs during infection of human intestinal epithelium. Using a transcriptomics approach, we define PMN-dependent reprogramming of the host response to Salmonella, establishing a clear role in amplifying pro-inflammatory gene expression. Additionally, the host response driven by PMNs differed between two similar nontyphoidal Salmonella serovars. These findings highlight the importance of building more physiological infection models to replicate human infection conditions to study host responses specific to individual pathogens.

Characterization of two Campylobacter jejuni phages and evaluation of their antibacterial efficacy with EDTA.

Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide. The application of bacteriophages offers a promising approach to specifically target and reduce C. jejuni contamination in food products. In this study, two C. jejuni phages were characterized, and their ability to inhibit bacterial growth in combination with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was investigated. Both phages exhibited tolerance to a wide range of temperature (4-60°C) and pH (3-9). Phage vB_CjeM-PC10 and vB_CjeM-PC22 were found to have a latent period of 30 min and 20 min and a burst size of 7 and 35 PFU/cell, respectively. Phage vB_CjeM-PC10 has a linear double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome of 51,148 bp with 77 ORFs and 29% GC content. Phage vB_CjeM-PC22 has a circular dsDNA genome of 32,543 bp with 56 ORFs and 28% GC content. At 42°C, the combination of these phages (MOI = 10) and EDTA decreased the count of viable C. jejuni by 5.2 log10 and inhibited the regrowth of resistant cells for 48 h. At 4°C, phage vB_CjeM-PC10 alone (MOI = 1000) reduced the count of viable C. jejuni by 3 log10 in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth and 2 log10 on chicken skin after incubation for 48 h. Although these phages were effective against C. jejuni, they cannot be utilized directly for food safety applications because they are lysogenic. Nevertheless, these findings expand the genome library of C. jejuni phages and enrich data resources by highlighting potential strategies for controlling C. jejuni infections.

Assessment of Microbial Contamination and Bacterial Characterization in Ready-to-Eat Fruits from Port Harcourt Markets, Nigeria

Food safety is critical in preventing foodborne illnesses, particularly in regions where regulatory oversight may be inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the microbial contamination and characterize bacteria found in whole and sliced ready-to-eat (RTE) fruits sold in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The study area of this research was in Port Harcourt, the capital and largest city in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study employed a simple random sampling technique, and the methodology involved collecting 30 samples of apples, cucumbers, oranges, pawpaws, and watermelons from six markets: Fruit Garden Market, Mile 1 Market, Mile 3 Market, Oil Mill Market, Rumuokoro Market, and Town Market. Samples were analyzed using standard microbiological techniques, including total heterotrophic bacterial count (THBC) and total coliform count (TCC). Serial dilutions and culturing were performed, and the isolates were identified through morphological and biochemical tests. Results indicated that coliforms such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp and Enterobacter spp were isolated, and the THBC varied significantly among the markets, with the highest contamination observed in Mile 3 Market (9.50 × 10⁴ CFU/ml) and the lowest in Town Market (7.27 × 10⁴ CFU/ml). TCC results showed the highest coliform contamination in Rumuokoro Market (5.16 × 10³ CFU/ml), likely influenced by proximity to unsanitary water sources. Watermelon had the highest contamination levels for both THBC and TCC, while cucumber showed the lowest. Variations in contamination levels were attributed to environmental factors, inadequate handling practices, and hygiene standards. The study concluded that RTE fruits sold in Port Harcourt pose significant health risks due to microbial contamination levels exceeding recommended safety thresholds. It emphasized the importance of stringent hygiene practices among vendors and better regulatory measures to prevent outbreaks. Recommendations include improved food safety training for vendors, stricter sanitation practices during handling and transportation, and regular monitoring by health authorities to ensure compliance with safety standards. Therefore, the study highlights health risks in consuming ready-to-eat fruits, supporting food safety improvements to reduce foodborne illnesses in Port Harcourt.

Evaluating Foodborne Cyclosporiasis Using Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network and Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System Data, 2015-2019.

Cyclosporiasis has been a nationally notifiable disease in the United States since 1999, and cases have increased in recent years. We evaluated characteristics of U.S. cases and outbreaks to identify gaps and potential prevention measures for mitigating cyclosporiasis. We assessed Cyclospora data from the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) and from the Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System (FDOSS) collected between 2015 and 2019. There were 1,376 cyclosporiasis cases in FoodNet between 2015 and 2019. Approximately one-fifth (n = 290, 21.1%) reported recent international travel. Most cases occurred in 2018 (n = 334, 24.3%) and 2019 (n = 758, 55.1%). There was strong seasonality, with 1,160 (90.9%) cases in the summer months. Most travelers reported visiting Mexico (n = 182, 62.8%) and Guatemala (n = 25, 8.6%). Approximately two-thirds of FoodNet cases were outbreak associated (n = 987, 71.7%). Of the 79 outbreaks reported to FDOSS, 31 (39.2%) occurred in 2018 and 40 (50.6%) occurred in 2019. Outbreaks tended to occur in spring and summer months (n = 78, 98.7%), The most common age groups among the 2,335 cases with data available included 20-49 years (n = 1,168, 50.0%), 50-74 years (n = 985, 42.2%), and ≥75 years (n = 120, 5.1%). Although direct comparisons between FoodNet and FDOSS are not possible, both datasets indicate that the majority of Cyclospora transmission is domestic and not travel associated, as previously thought. These findings show the need for continued investment in Cyclospora research, including identifying populations that are underrepresented, or at higher risk for cyclosporiasis, and improved understanding of national sources and pathways of infection.

The novel peptide adjuvants potentiate antimicrobial properties of melittin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and their efficacy as potential food preservatives

Melittin, a notable antimicrobial peptide (AMP), shows great potential in food preservation due to its robust antimicrobial properties, especially when facing multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. However, developing melittin as a food preservative is limited by its poor cell selectively, necessitating innovative strategies are needed to address the application bottleneck of melittin. Here, we characterize two linear peptide adjuvants (3-WP and 9-RP), which exhibited obvious synergistic effects with melittin against common Gram-positive bacteria. Their synergistic effects potentiated antimicrobial efficacy of melittin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), while reduced the required dose of melittin for antimicrobial activity, which is contributed to improving the cell selectively of melittin. Mechanistically, 3-WP disrupted cell wall membrane permeability, induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inhibited energy metabolism. The 3-WP/melittin combination exhibited favorable antimicrobial effects in food storage contexts. Our findings highlighted the great potential of 3-WP as a peptide adjuvant of melittin for combating MDR-associated foodborne diseases and developing safe and effective peptide-based bio-preservatives.

Optimisation of plasma processes for decontamination of bacterial contaminants on polymeric food packaging materials

Abstract Foodborne diseases present a global health challenge, with over 420 000 deaths annually. Packaging plays a vital role in food safety but can introduce hazards if contaminated. Traditional decontamination methods are energy-intensive or leave toxic residues. Cold plasma technology offers promising solutions for generating antimicrobial reactive species. This study optimises a plasma system for packaging decontamination, achieving high inactivation rates for Staphylococcus epidermidis (gram-positive) and Acinetobacter baumannii (gram-negative), respectively 3.5 and 4.7. Statistical analysis guide process optimisation, highlighting factors enhancing biocidal action: treatment chamber size reduction, high duty cycle, and mist injection. The system proves effective against both kinds of bacteria, with gram-negative bacteria showing higher sensitivity. The study focuses on optimising an innovative process, emphasising the process towards industrialisation and highlighting economic and environmental benefits. This investigation’s innovative approach aims to bridge the gap between laboratory prototypes and industrial applications.

Cowpea legumin preservative impacts on beef ribeye and implications on antibiotic resistant food borne pathogens

The current study assessed the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Cowpea-legumin (CPL) against antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens (FBP), the consequences on Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) quality and shelf-life, and the growth curves of inoculated FBPs. Fresh LTL-steaks were enriched with either 0.5 mg/g (CPL0.5) or 1 mg/g (CPL1) and evaluated over 15 chilling-days at 4 °C. Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli were inhibited by 25 and 3.125 mg/mL, respectively, while antibiotic-susceptible FBPs and antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were suppressed by 0.1 mg/mL CPL. CPL1-fortification produced fully tender LTL that was initially yellower/less red than the control, then turned brighter red with storage. CPL demonstrated promising dose-dependent antioxidant, and antibacterial activities against native spoilage and antibiotic-resistant/susceptible FBPs. CPL’s proteinaceous composition, besides sample size, might impact stability. Conclusively, CPL demonstrated promising preservative stability in fresh meat for a maximum of fifteen-days and represents a viable antimicrobial alternative in battle against antibiotic-resistance.

Risk Classification of Food Incidents Using a Risk Evaluation Matrix for Use in Artificial Intelligence-Supported Risk Identification.

Foodborne illnesses and mortalities persist as a significant global health issue. The World Health Organization estimates that one out of every ten individuals becomes ill following the consumption of contaminated food. However, in the age of digitalization and technological progress, more and more data and data evaluation technologies are available to counteract this problem. A specific challenge in this context is the efficient and beneficial utilization of the continuously increasing volume of data. In pursuit of optimal data utilization, the objective of the present study was to develop a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)-based assessment scheme to be prospectively implemented into an overall artificial intelligence (AI)-supported database for the autonomous risk categorization of food incident reports. Such additional evaluations might help to identify certain novel or emerging risks by allocating a level of risk prioritization. Ideally, such indications are obtained earlier than an official notification, and therefore, this method can be considered preventive, as the risk is already identified. Our results showed that this approach enables the efficient and time-saving preliminary risk categorization of incident reports, allowing for the rapid identification of relevant reports related to predefined subject areas or inquiries that require further examination. The manual test runs demonstrated practicality, enabling the implementation of the evaluation scheme in AI-supported databases for the autonomous assessment of incident reports. Moreover, it has become evident that increasing the amount of information and evaluation criteria provided to AI notably enhances the precision of risk assessments for individual incident notifications. This will remain an ongoing challenge for the utilization and processing of food safety data in the future.

Isolation and identification of bacterial pathogens associated with foodborne illnesses in stool samples: A prospective study

Introduction: Foodborne illnesses significantly impact public health, necessitating the isolation and identification of bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. This study aims to isolate and identify bacteria from stool samples of individuals exhibiting food poisoning symptoms, enhancing understanding and prevention of these infections. Methods: This prospective study, conducted at GSL Medical College from August to September 2021, involved individuals over 18 years with food poisoning symptoms. Stool samples were collected, cultured on selective media, and analyzed for bacterial identification using Gram staining and biochemical tests, followed by statistical analysis of prevalence and symptoms. Results: The study included 100 participants, with 52% male and a majority (40%) aged 31–45 years. Abdominal pain (80%) and diarrhea (75%) were the most common symptoms. The predominant isolates were E. coli (30%) and Salmonella spp. (25%), with symptom correlations revealing distinct clinical presentations among the pathogens. Conclusion: This study underscores the significant role of pathogens in foodborne illnesses, particularly E. coli and Salmonella spp. The correlation between these pathogens and symptoms highlights diverse clinical presentations, emphasizing the need for effective food safety measures and public health interventions to mitigate the impact of foodborne infections on community health.

Escherichia coli diarrhoea among the adults – prospective research

Introduction: Eschrichia coli is common diarrhea causing agent. This study aimed to identify the bacterial pathogens responsible for diarrhea and abdominal pain in adults. Foodborne illnesses remain a significant public health concern, with Escherichia coli. Methods: The study, conducted from January to May 2021 at GSL Medical College, included adults with diarrhea and abdominal pain. Stool samples were collected, processed, and cultured on selective media to identify bacterial pathogens. Statistical analysis was performed to assess pathogen prevalence and its association with symptoms, using descriptive statistics for findings interpretation. Results: Among 100 adults with diarrhea and abdominal pain, 52% were male, and the majority (40%) were aged 31–45 years. Abdominal pain (80%) and diarrhea (75%) were the most common symptoms. Escherichia coli was the leading isolate (30%), followed by Salmonella spp. (25%) and Staphylococcus aureus (20%). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study highlights Escherichia coli as the primary bacterial cause of diarrhea among adults, followed by Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. These findings underscore the importance of targeted food safety measures and public health interventions to address foodborne pathogens and prevent related illnesses in communities. Key words: Escherichia coli, Diarrhea, Foodborne pathogens, Abdominal pain, Bacterial isolation

Food Safety in Developing Countries: Common Foodborne and Waterborne Illnesses, Regulations, Organizational Structure, and Challenges of Food Safety in the Context of Nepal

ABSTRACTFood safety presents a global challenge, contributing to 600 million cases of foodborne diseases and 420,000 fatalities annually worldwide. In developing countries, such as Nepal, addressing food safety is particularly intricate and arduous because of the prevalent issues of food insecurity, poverty, illiteracy, and regulatory hurdles. The objectives of this comprehensive review are to evaluate the prevalent foodborne and waterborne illnesses, examine the existing regulations and institutional frameworks, and identify the challenges associated with food safety in Nepal. Additionally, this review aims to propose strategies to enhance food safety measures in the country. An electronic search was conducted using relevant keywords to include articles and literature pertinent to the topic. Common foodborne illnesses in Nepal include cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis, worm infections, and poisoning from mushrooms, heavy metals, and pesticides. While existing rules, regulations, and government infrastructure exist, they often face limitations in effectively addressing these multifaceted challenges. Food safety in developing countries, such as Nepal, faces several challenges, including inadequate regulatory frameworks, limited surveillance and monitoring, rural–urban disparities, and high incidences of foodborne illness. Additional issues stem from weak law enforcement, poor food safety practices, limited infrastructure, informal sector challenges, cross‐border trade, limited access to clean water, and the impacts of climate change. A multisectoral One Health approach involving collaboration among government agencies, food industry stakeholders, consumers, and civil society organizations is imperative to enhance food safety in developing countries such as Nepal.

The Prevalence of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant E. coli in Animals and Animal Products: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Biological contamination of foods is a serious problem for human health. Animal and animal products may be contaminated by these biological and chemical contaminants. One of the most important causes of foodborne illness in humans is Escherichia coli. Fluoroquinolones can be used as a suitable treatment for enteric infections in food-producing livestock. We aimed to evaluate the current status of resistance of E. coli strains isolated from animals and animal products to fluoroquinolone in Iran. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases from 2000 to Oct 2020. Nineteen studies were selected based on the inclusion criteria and analysis by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis. Results: Based on the data analysis, The rates of antibiotic resistance in animal strains were as follows: Flumequine (75.1%), Enrofloxacin (55.2%), Danofloxacin (48.1%), Ciprofloxacin (48.4%), and Norfloxacin (52.9%). Next, the rates of quinolone resistance among E. coli strains isolated from animal products were Norfloxacin (45.5%), Ciprofloxacin (44.5%), and Enrofloxacin (60.9%). Based on the funnel plots and Egger's test, there was no significant publication bias. Conclusion: We finally concluded that antibiotic resistance in commensal E. coli is related to the overuse of antibiotics in livestock, especially fluoroquinolones.

Rapid on-site detection of viable Vibrio parahaemolyticus in seafood using cis-diamminedichloroplatinum and colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (CDDP-LAMP).

Vibrio parahaemolyticus in seafood and marine environments poses significant health risks, causing gastroenteritis worldwide. Current detection methods fail to differentiate live from dead cells, leading to inaccuracies in food safety assessments. This study introduces a novel method combining cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) with direct colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for rapid and accurate detection of viable V. parahaemolyticus cells in seafood samples. CDDP treatment at 37°C for 30min selectively inhibits DNA from dead cells, enhancing the specificity of the assay by ensuring only live cell DNA is amplified. The optimized CDDP-LAMP procedure detects alive V. parahaemolyticus within 1h, with results observable through a color change. The CDDP-LAMP assay demonstrates excellent specificity, identifying live V. parahaemolyticus cells while excluding dead cells and other bacteria. It shows a detection limit of 2.348CFU per reaction and successfully detects V. parahaemolyticus in seafood samples across different food matrices. This study is the first to combine CDDP with colorimetric LAMP for direct detecting viable bacteria in food, enhancing specificity by eliminating signals from dead cells. The CDDP-LAMP assay provides a rapid, accurate process for detecting viable V. parahaemolyticus cells, especially in resource-limited settings. It also gives a model for screening different bacterial pathogens, speeding up and improving foodborne illness risk assessments.

Genomic characteristics of Salmonella enterica serovar Blockley.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) is a significant cause of foodborne illness worldwide, with increasing antimicrobial resistance posing a public health concern. Salmonella enterica serovar Blockley (S. Blockley) is relatively uncommon, and its antimicrobial resistance profile and population structure have been understudied. This study presents a comprehensive genomic analysis of 264 S. Blockley isolates from diverse geographical regions to elucidate antimicrobial resistance patterns and population structure. Bayesian analysis classified these genomes into 10 distinct groups (BAPS A to BAPS J), further categorized into two lineages, R and S. Lineage R comprised six BAPS clusters (BAPSs A-F), predominantly found in Asia and Africa, all of which harbored the azithromycin resistance gene mph(A) and other resistance determinants. In contrast, lineage S, lacking mph(A), comprised the remaining four BAPS clusters, which were primarily found in Europe and the Americas. Several types of mutations in gyrA were found in lineage R, which were specific to BAPS clusters. These BAPS clusters exhibited distinct geographic distributions, with BAPS B, BAPS D, and BAPS E unique to China, Taiwan, and Japan, respectively, while BAPS H and BAPS I were predominantly found in the United States. Temporal phylogenetic analysis suggested that lineage R diverged in the 1980s, with notable microevolutionary changes. The presence of a genomic island with mph(A), aph(3')-Ia, aph(3")-Ib, aph(6)-Id, and tet(A) in lineage R underscores the public health threat, highlighting a need for continuous surveillance.IMPORTANCEAntimicrobial resistance in Salmonella is a global public health concern. In this study, we focused on serovar Blockley, and a whole-genome analysis revealed its global population structure. The results revealed the existence of azithromycin-resistant strains, which were characterized both phylogenetically and geographically. The resistance genes were transmitted via genomic islands, and their micro-scale evolution was also revealed. Our findings are the first to reveal the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes, including azithromycin, in serovar Blockley, and provide valuable insights into understanding the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Consumer Risk Perception of Food Contamination as an Influencer to Purchase Irradiated Ground Beef, Chicken, and Leafy Greens – United States, October 2022

Foodborne illness continues to be a substantial public health concern in the United States with contaminated ground beef, chicken, and leafy greens identified as important sources of illnesses and outbreaks. These foods also have been identified by consumers as foods that are likely to carry germs that can make people sick. Food irradiation is a promising tool to enhance food safety. Despite this, there has been limited application of food irradiation in the U.S. During October 7–9, 2022, we licensed data from a Porter Novelli Public Services survey (N = 1,008) to examine consumer risk perception of contamination of ground beef, chicken, and leafy greens with pathogens, and the potential influence risk perception has on purchasing irradiated versions of these foods. Among respondents familiar with food irradiation, a higher proportion of those who believed ground beef and leafy greens were likely contaminated also indicated they were likely to consider purchasing irradiated ground beef (55.6% vs 35.4%; p = 0.0061) and leafy greens (60.8% vs 36.1%; p ≤ 0.0001) compared with those who did not; chicken was not significant (58.6% vs 45.4%; p = 0.0727). This survey demonstrated the importance of risk perception as an influencer on a consumer’s decision to purchase irradiated foods.

Foodborne Pathogens Across Different Food Matrices in Sicily (Southern Italy).

Foodborne diseases result from the consumption of foods contaminated with pathogens or their toxins and represent a serious public health problem worldwide. This study aimed to assess the presence of Rotavirus (RoV), Adenovirus (AdV), Norovirus (NoV), Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E viruses (HAV and HEV, respectively), Toxoplasma gondii, Coxiella burnetii and Leptospira spp. across various food matrices in Sicily. The analysis concerned 504 samples, including mussels, farmed meat, game meat, vegetables and bulk milk. Following appropriate pre-treatment, acid nucleic extraction was carried out and amplification of pathogen nucleic acids was carried out by molecular methods. The mussels tested positive for NoVs (3/51, 5.9%) and farm meat resulted positive for T. gondii (1/34, 2.9%). The game offal samples tested positive for HEV, which was detected in 17 out of 222 samples (7.7%), and T. gondii (18/318, 5.7%) and Leptospira spp. (2/318, 0.6%). The milk samples tested positive for C. burnetii (15/85, 17.6%), T. gondii (2/85, 2.4%) and Leptospira spp. (1/85, 1.2%). This study highlights the variability in the risk of contamination of different food matrices, confirming the importance of vigilance in the consumption of potentially contaminated food products.