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PulseNet: the molecular subtyping network for foodborne bacterial disease surveillance, United States.

PulseNet, the national molecular subtyping network for foodborne disease surveillance, was established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several state health department laboratories to facilitate subtyping bacterial foodborne pathogens for epidemiologic purposes. PulseNet, which began in 1996 with 10 laboratories typing a single pathogen (Escherichia coli O157:H7), now includes 46 state and 2 local public health laboratories and the food safety laboratories of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Four foodborne pathogens (E. coli O157:H7; nontyphoidal Salmonella serotypes, Listeria monocytogenes and Shigella) are being subtyped, and other bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms will be added soon.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

Fecal prevalence of Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella, Listeria, and Bacteriophage Infecting E. coli O157:H7 in feedlot cattle in the Southern Plains region of the United States.

Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria are foodborne pathogens of critical importance that often colonize cattle. E. coli O157:H7 can be specifically killed by lytic bacteriophage, and lytic bacteriophage treatment has been suggested as a pre-harvest intervention strategy to reduce foodborne pathogens in cattle. To date, no systematic approach to determine the incidence of E. coli O157:H7-infecting lytic bacteriophage has been published. Therefore, the current study was designed to determine (1) the incidence of E. coli O157, Salmonella spp., and Listeria and (2) the incidence of E. coli O157:H7-infecting bacteriophage in the feces of feedlot steers in commercial feedlots in the United States. Fecal samples (n=60) were collected from four feedlots in two Southern Great Plains states (total (n=240 fecal samples). Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 were found in 3.8% and 11.7% of the fecal samples, respectively. Bacteriophage targeting E. coli O157:H7 were found in all four feedlots, in 15% of the individual fecal samples, and in 55% of the cattle pens. Our results indicate that such bacteriophage are widespread in feedlot cattle, suggesting that further research into the ecological role of bacteriophage in the gastrointestinal tract is needed.

Animals↗

Foodborne diseases.

Foodborne diseases continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality both in developing and developed countries. Its spectrum has vastly expanded in recent years with the recognition of new foodborne pathogens and clinical syndromes. The increase in international travel and demand for exotic and raw food underscore the importance of traveller's diarrhoea. The emergence of day care centres and residential institutions predispose to an environment that enhances the transmission of foodborne pathogens. Last but not least, our greying population, the AIDS pandemic and increasing use of immunosuppressive chemotherapy have produced a special population that is easily susceptible to the microbial contamination of food. Diseases in these individuals are usually more chronic, severe or life-threatening. This article seeks to address the above issues as well as to present a practical approach to the diagnosis and management of foodborne diseases.

Diarrhea↗

International Life Sciences Institute North America Listeria monocytogenes strain collection: development of standard Listeria monocytogenes strain sets for research and validation studies.

Research and development efforts on bacterial foodborne pathogens, including the development of novel detection and subtyping methods, as well as validation studies for intervention strategies can greatly be enhanced through the availability and use of standardized strain collections. These types of strain collections are available for some foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli. We have developed a standard Listeria monocytogenes strain collection that has not been previously available. The strain collection includes (i) a diversity set of 25 isolates chosen to represent a genetically diverse set of L. monocytogenes isolates as well as a single hemolytic Listeria innocua strain and (ii) an outbreak set, which includes 21 human and food isolates from nine major human listeriosis outbreaks that occurred between 1981 and 2002. The diversity set represents all three genetic L. monocytogenes lineages (I, n = 9; II, n = 9; and III, n = 6) as well as nine different serotypes. Molecular subtyping by EcoRI automated ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with AscI and ApaI separated the 25 isolates in the diversity set into 23 ribotypes and 25 PFGE types, confirming that this isolate set represents considerable genetic diversity. Molecular subtyping of isolates in the outbreak set confirmed that human and food isolates were identical by ribotype and PFGE, except for human and food isolates for two outbreaks, which displayed related but distinct PFGE patterns. Subtype and source data for all isolates in this strain collection are available on the Internet and are linked to the PathogenTracker database (www.pathogentracker.com), which allows the addition of new, relevant information on these isolates, including links to publications that have used isolates from this collection. We have thus developed a core L. monocytogenes strain collection, which will provide a resource for L. monocytogenes research and development efforts with centralized Internet-based data curation and integration.

Animals↗

Antibacterial activity in extracts of Camellia japonica L. petals and its application to a model food system.

The potential presence of naturally occurring antimicrobials in petals of Camellia japonica L., a member of the tea family, was investigated against foodborne pathogens in microbiological media and food. Petals of the camellia flower (C. japonica L.) were extracted with methanol and fractionated into basic, acidic, and neutral fractions. The acidic fraction (equivalent to 1.0 g of raw sample per disk) produced an inhibitory zone of 14 to 19 mm (diameter) in a disk assay against the pathogens Salmonella Typhimurium DT104, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus on agar plates. Silica gel adsorption column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and preparative purification by high-pressure liquid chromatography were used to purify compounds in the fraction. The mass spectrum of the antibacterial compound isolated had a molecular ion (M+) of m/z 116 and showed good conformity with the spectrum of fumaric acid (HOOC-CH=CH-COOH). An aqueous extract from the petals of C. japonica L. had an inhibitory effect on growth of all pathogens at 37 degrees C in microbiological media by increasing the lag phase. None of the microorganisms was inhibited completely. Milk was used as a model food system. Aqueous extract at a concentration of 100 mg/ml was bacteriostatic against all the foodborne pathogens in the milk stored at 25 degrees C for up to 4 days.

Animals↗

Glycopeptide derived from hen egg ovomucin has the ability to bind enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Ovomucin glycopeptide (OGP) was prepared by size exclusion chromatography after Pronase digestion of hen egg ovomucin, and the binding of OGP to foodborne pathogens (Bacillus cereus,Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus) was investigaed. Binding assays with biotinylated bacteria as probes in microtiter plates showed that OGP bound to only E. coli O157:H7 among these foodborne pathogens. Periodate treatment markedly reduced the binding ability, indicating that E. coli O157:H7 bound to carbohydrate moieties of OGP. Lectin blot analysis with Maackia amurensis (MAA) and Sambucus nigra (SNA), which are specific for oligosaccharides containing sialic acid, revealed their binding sites in OGP were similar to the E. coli O157:H7 binding sites that were probed with biotinylated E. coli O157:H7 after Western blotting of OGP. Sialydase treatment of OGP abolished its ability to bind E. coli O157:H7, demonstrating that sialic acid played an important role in the binding. These results suggest that OGP has E. coli O157:H7-specific binding sites that consist of sialic acid. On the basis of these properties, OGP has the potential to be an ingredient with a protective effect against E. coli O157:H7 infection and to be a novel probe for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 in the food hygiene field.

Animals↗

The microbiology of minimally processed fresh fruits and vegetables.

Minimally processed fresh (MPF) fruits and vegetables are good media for growth of microorganisms. They have been involved in outbreaks because of the consumption of products contaminated by pathogens. They are also sensitive to various spoilage microorganisms such as pectinolytic bacteria, saprophytic Gram-negative bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts. Contamination of MPF fruits and vegetables occurs at every stage of the food chain, from cultivation to processing. Polluted environments during cultivation or poor hygienic conditions in processing increase the risk of contamination with foodborne pathogens. Although MPF fruits and vegetables may harbor psychrotrophic microorganisms such as fluorescent pseudomonads or Listeria monocytogenes, good control of refrigeration temperature limits growth of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. Modified atmospheres are often efficient to maintain or improve visual organoleptic quality of MPF fruits and vegetables, but their effects on microorganisms are inconsistent. Chemical disinfection can partially reduce the initial bacterial contamination; irradiation seems to be more efficient. The applications of legislations and quality assurance systems to control contamination, survival, and growth of foodborne pathogens in MPF fruits and vegetables are discussed.

Food Contamination↗

Survival and recovery of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes on lettuce and parsley as affected by method of inoculation, time between inoculation and analysis, and treatment with chlorinated water.

The effects of method for applying inoculum and of drying time after inoculation on survival and recovery of foodborne pathogens on iceberg lettuce and parsley were studied. Five-strain mixtures of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, or Listeria monocytogenes were applied to lettuce and parsley by dip, spot, or spray inoculation methods. Inocula were dried for 2 h at 22 degrees C or for 2 h at 22 degrees C and then 22 h at 4 degrees C before being treated with water (control) or chlorine (200 microg/ml). Significantly higher populations (CFU per lettuce or parsley sample) of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella (alpha = 0.05) were recovered from dip-inoculated produce than from spot- or spray-inoculated produce. This difference was attributed to larger numbers of cells adhering to lettuce and parsley subjected to dip inoculation. Populations of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella recovered from lettuce inoculated by spot and spray methods were not significantly different, but populations recovered from spot-inoculated parsley were significantly higher than those recovered from spray-inoculated parsley, even though the number of cells applied was the same. Significantly different numbers of L. monocytogenes were recovered from inoculated lettuce (dip > spray > spot); populations recovered from dip-inoculated parsley were significantly higher than those recovered from spot- or spray-inoculated parsley, which were not significantly different from each other. Populations of pathogens recovered from lettuce and parsley after drying inoculum for 2 h at 22 degrees C were significantly higher than or equal to populations recovered after drying for 2 h at 22 degrees C and then for 22 h at 4 degrees C. Significant differences (water > chlorine) were observed in populations of all pathogens recovered from treated lettuce and parsley, regardless of inoculation method and drying time. It is recommended that spot inoculation with a drying time of 2 h at 22 degrees C followed by 22 h at 4 degrees C be used to determine the efficacy of chlorine and other sanitizers in killing foodborne pathogens on lettuce and parsley.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Bacterial separation and concentration from complex sample matrices: a review.

The use of many rapid detection technologies could be expanded if the bacteria were separated, concentrated, and purified from the sample matrix before detection. Specific advantages of bacterial concentration might include facilitating the detection of multiple bacterial strains; removal of matrix-associated assay inhibitors; and provision of adequate sample size reduction to allow for the use of representative food sample sizes and/or small media volumes. Furthermore, bacterial concentration could aid in improving sampling techniques needed to detect low levels of pathogens or sporadic contamination, which may perhaps reduce or even eliminate the need for cultural enrichment prior to detection. Although bacterial concentration methods such as centrifugation, filtration, and immunomagnetic separation have been reported for food systems, none of these is ideal and in many cases a technique optimized for one food system or microorganism is not readily adaptable to others. Indeed, the separation and subsequent concentration of bacterial cells from a food sample during sample preparation continues to be a stumbling block in the advancement of molecular methods for the detection of foodborne pathogens. The purpose of this review is to provide a detailed understanding of the science, possibilities, and limitations of separating and concentrating bacterial cells from the food matrix in an effort to further improve our ability to harness molecular methods for the rapid detection of foodborne pathogens.

Bacteria↗

Low prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in human stool.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that is found widely in the environment and in a variety of ready-to-eat foods, yet human invasive infection is relatively rare (five cases per million people annually in the United States). Despite wide exposure to this organism, little is known about the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in human stool, and it is not known whether human fecal dispersal contributes to human foodborne transmission. We cultured 827 stool specimens (well formed and loose-watery) from individuals from four large metropolitan areas of New York state for L. monocytogenes and found only 1 (0.12%) positive specimen. L. monocytogenes was also isolated from the blood of the person with the single positive specimen, and the two isolates were indistinguishable by molecular subtyping (both were ribotype DUP-1042B). This provides further evidence that human L. monocytogenes fecal carriage among persons with and without diarrheal disease is remarkably low. Unlike the case for other foodborne pathogens (e.g., Salmonella), human shedders probably do not contribute significantly to L. monocytogenes contamination of foods. However, we observed a single individual with invasive listeriosis that shed the pathogen in feces, indicating the potential for fecal dispersal of L. monocytogenes from persons with listeriosis.

Adolescent↗

Bacteriophages as biocontrol agents in food.

Bacteriophages possess attributes that appear to be attractive to those searching for novel ways to control foodborne pathogens and spoilage organisms. These phages have a history of safe use, can be highly host specific, and replicate in the presence of a host. Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes and various spoilage organisms have responded to phage control on some foods. However, the use of phages as biocontrol agents is complicated by factors such as an apparent requirement for a threshold level of host before replication can proceed and by suboptimal performance, at best, at temperatures beneath the optimum for the host. This review is a summary of the information on these issues and includes brief descriptions of alternative phage-based strategies for control of foodborne pathogens.

Bacteriophages↗

Identification of antiadhesive fraction(s) in nonimmunized egg yolk powder: in vitro study.

The presence of antiadhesive component(s) in the hen egg yolk against foodborne pathogens was anticipated from results of a previous animal study conducted by the authors. The previous work showed egg yolk powder without specific antibodies is effective in controlling Salmonella enteritidis,Salmonella typhimurium, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 colonization in laying hens. Therefore, this study was necessary to locate the activity and identify the effective component(s). In vitro experiments were conducted using confluent Caco-2 cell monolayers. S. enteritidis, S. typhimurium, and E. coli O157:H7 were investigated against the various extracted granule and plasma fractions in three different assays: adhesion elimination, adhesion prevention, and antimicrobial. This study revealed original findings and identified the protective yolk fraction against the foodborne pathogens as the granule component, high-density lipoproteins (HDL). The protective activity conveyed by HDL was confirmed to remain intact despite peptic and tryptic enzymatic digestion and to have antiadhesive but not antimicrobial effect.

Animals↗

Escherichia coli O157:H7, Campylobacter jejuni, and Salmonella Prevalence in cull dairy cows marketed in northeastern Ohio.

Preharvest management factors are predicted to impact the prevalence of foodborne pathogens in cattle sent to slaughter. We simultaneously examined the prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolated from cull dairy cattle at two livestock auctions in northeastern Ohio. Between April and September 2002, a total of 1,026 fecal samples were collected. C. jejuni was isolated from 48 of 686 (7%) fecal samples, Salmonella was isolated from 39 of 585 (6.7%) samples, and E. coli O157:H7 was isolated from 21 of 1,026 (2.1%) samples. Of the 585 samples tested for all three pathogens, at least one pathogen was identified in 86 of 585 (15%) samples. One sample was positive for both E. coli O157:H7 and C. jejuni, and five samples yielded both C. jejuni and Salmonella. Size of herd of origin could be traced for 75 to 85% of samples collected. Salmonella was isolated at higher frequencies from herds larger than 60 cattle than from smaller herds (9.0 versus 3.5%, P = 0.02). In contrast, size of herd of origin did not significantly affect the E. coli O157:H7 and C. jejuni prevalence. Approximately 90% of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 isolates were pansensitive to a panel of 16 antibiotics. Thirty-six percent of C. jejuni isolates were resistant to tetracycline. In this study, antibiotic resistance among the foodborne pathogens isolated from cull diary cattle was rare. Although size of dairy herd of origin was positively associated with Salmonella prevalence, herd size was not strongly associated with E. coli O157:H7 and C. jejuni prevalence in market dairy cattle. These results can be used to assess the food safety risks associated with the slaughter of cull dairy cattle.

Abattoirs↗

A conductometric biosensor for biosecurity.

The paper describes the development of a conductometric biosensor for detecting foodborne pathogens. The biosensor consists of two components: an immunosensor that is based on electrochemical sandwich immunoassay, and a reader for signal measurement. The architecture of the immunosensor utilizes a lateral flow system that allows the liquid sample to move from one pad to another. The biosensor provides a specific, sensitive, low volume, and near real-time detection mechanism. Results are presented to highlight the performance of the biosensor for enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp., which are of concern to biosecurity. The lower limit of detection is approximately 7.9 x 10(1) colony forming units per milliliter within a 10-min process. The ability to change the specificity of the antibodies will enable the biosensor to be used as a detection device for other types of foodborne pathogens.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Pathogenicity of foodborne Salmonella.

Salmonella remains a leading etiological agent in bacterial foodborne diseases. Although human salmonellosis generally presents as a self-limiting episode of enterocolitis, the disease can degenerate into chronic and debilitating conditions. Antibiotic treatment of uncomplicated salmonellosis is contra-indicated because it tends to prolong the carrier state. Clinical management of systemic infections with newer drugs such as third-generation cephalosporins and quinolones is most promising, particularly in light of the increasing resistance of Salmonella to the traditional ampicillin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole therapeutic agents. Research into the development of effective vaccines from avirulent auxotrophic or from virulence plasmid-cured strains may ultimately facilitate the control of salmonellosis in human populations and in various agricultural sectors. Human salmonellosis reflects the outcome of a confrontation between humoral and cellular immune responses of the host, and virulence determinants of the invasive pathogen. Following an adhesion-dependent attachment of salmonellae to lumenal epithelial cells, the invasive pathogen is internalized within an epithelial cell by a receptor-mediated endocytotic process. Cytotoxin localized in the bacterial cell wall suggestively may facilitate Salmonella entry into the epithelial layer. Cytoplasmic translocation of the infected endosome to the basal epithelial membrane culminates in the release of salmonellae in the lamina propria. During this invasive process, Salmonella secretes a heat-labile enterotoxin that precipitates a net efflux of water and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen. Although non-typhoid salmonellae generally precipitate a localized inflammatory response in deeper tissues via lymphatics and capillaries, and elicit a major immune response. Current research efforts have focused on the molecular characterization and role of virulence plasmids and chromosomal genes in Salmonella pathogenicity.

Carrier State↗

Effects of ractopamine HCl on Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in vitro and on intestinal populations and fecal shedding in experimentally infected sheep and pigs.

The effects of the beta-agonist ractopamine, approved for use in finishing swine and cattle to improve carcass quality and performance, were examined on two important foodborne pathogens, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. Ractopamine, administered to sheep before and after oral inoculation with E. coli O157:H7, increased (P < 0.01) fecal shedding and tended to increase (P = 0.08) cecal populations of the challenge strain. Pigs receiving ractopamine in the diet and then experimentally infected with Salmonella Typhimurium, had decreased (P < 0.05) fecal shedding and fewer (P = 0.05) liver samples positive for the challenge strain of Salmonella. Pure cultures of E. coli O157:H7 (used in the present sheep study), E. coli O157:H19 (isolated from pigs with postweaning diarrhea), Salmonella Typhimurium (used in the present pig study), and Salmonella Choleraesuis were incubated with varying concentrations of ractopamine to determine if ractopamine has a direct effect on bacterial growth. No differences in growth rate were observed for either strain of E. coli or for Salmonella Typhimurium when incubated with increasing concentrations of ractopamine. The growth rate for Salmonella Choleraesuis was increased with the addition of 2.0 mug ractopamine/ml compared with the other concentrations examined. Collectively, these results indicate that ractopamine may influence gut populations and fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. Because ractopamine is currently approved to be fed to finishing cattle and swine immediately before slaughter, any potential for decreasing foodborne pathogens has exciting food safety implications.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Antimicrobial susceptibility and factors affecting the shedding of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in dairy cattle.

AIMS: To examine factors affecting faecal shedding of the foodborne pathogens Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in dairy cattle and evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility of these isolates. METHODS: Faecal samples were obtained in replicate from lactating (LAC; n = 60) and non-lactating (NLAC; n = 60) Holstein cattle to determine influence of heat stress, parity, lactation status (LAC vs NLAC) and stage of lactation [</=60 or >60 days in milk (DIM)] and cultured for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. A portion of the recovered isolates were examined for antimicrobial susceptibility using the broth microdilution technique. RESULTS: No effects of heat stress were observed. Lactating cows shed more (P < 0.01) E. coli O157:H7 than NLAC cows (43% vs 32%, respectively). Multiparous LAC cows tended to shed more (P = 0.06) Salmonella than primiparous LAC cows (39% vs 27%, respectively). Parity did not influence (P > 0.10) bacterial shedding in NLAC cows. Cows </=60 DIM shed more (P < 0.05) Salmonella than cows >60 DIM. Seventeen Salmonella serotypes were identified with the most prevalent being Senftenberg (18%), Newport (17%) and Anatum (15%). Seventy-nine of the Salmonella isolates were resistant to at least one of the seven antibiotics. Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolates were resistant to 11 different antibiotics with multiple resistance to nine or more antibiotics observed in five isolates. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrated differences in the shedding patterns of foodborne pathogens due to the stage of the milk production cycle and may help identify times when on-farm pathogen control would be the most effective.

Animals↗

Quantitative and simultaneous detection of four foodborne bacterial pathogens with a multi-channel SPR sensor.

We report the quantitative and simultaneous detection of four species of bacteria, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella choleraesuis serotype typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter jejuni, using an eight-channel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on wavelength division multiplexing. Detection curves showing SPR response versus analyte concentration were established for each species of bacteria in buffer at pH 7.4, apple juice at native pH 3.7, and apple juice at an adjusted pH of 7.4, as well as for a mixture containing all four species of bacteria in buffer. Control experiments were performed to show the non-fouling characteristics of the sensor surface as well as the specificity of the amplification antibodies used in this study. The limit of detection (LOD) for each of the four species of bacteria in the tested matrices ranges from 3.4 x 10(3) to 1.2 x 10(5) cfu/ml. Detection curves in buffer of an individual species of bacteria in a mixture of all four species of bacteria correlated well with detection curves of the individual species of bacteria alone. SPR responses were higher for bacteria in apple juice at pH 7.4 than in apple juice at pH 3.7. This difference in sensor response could be partly attributed to the pH dependence of antibody-antigen binding.

Bacteria↗