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Jashari B, Capitaine K, Bisha B, Stessl B, Blagoevska K, Cana A, Jankuloski D, Félix B. Molecular Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes in the Food Chain of the Republic of Kosovo from 2016 to 2022. Foods 2024; 13:2883. [PMID: 39335812 PMCID: PMC11431155 DOI: 10.3390/foods13182883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The present study describes the genetic characterization of L. monocytogenes strains found in the Republic of Kosovo's food chain. From 2016 to 2022, 995 samples were collected. Overall, 648 samples were from ready-to-eat (RTE) food products, 281 from food products consumed cooked (FPCC), 60 from raw materials, and 6 from environmental samples. Overall, 11.76% (117 out of 995) of the samples were contaminated by L. monocytogenes, comprising 6.33% (41 out of 648) from RTE products, 14.95% (42 out of 281) from FPCC, 55.00% (33 out of 60) from raw materials, and 16.66% (1 out of 6) from environmental samples. All isolates were subjected to molecular serotyping and clonal complex (CC) identification by using real-time PCR, as well as multilocus sequence typing. All isolates were grouped into four molecular serotypes, IIa (34.19%), IIb (3.48%), IIc (32.48%), and IVb (29.91%), as well as Lineage I (33.33%) and Lineage II (66.66%). In total, 14 CCs were identified from 41 RTE isolates; however, CC29 (7), CC2 (6), and CC6 (6) were the most dominant. By contrast, CC9 was by far the most represented CC in both FPCC (21) and RM (14). Moreover, 30 isolates expressed CC1, CC2, CC4, or CC6, which are particularly associated with severe human infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Besart Jashari
- Food Microbiology, Food and Veterinary Laboratory, Food and Veterinary Agency of Kosovo, Lidhja e Pejës 241, 10000 Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Karine Capitaine
- Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, ANSES, European Union Reference Laboratory for L. monocytogenes, University of Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Bledar Bisha
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Beatrix Stessl
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Centre for Food Science and Public Veterinary Health, Clinical Department for Farm Animals and Food Systems Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-2110 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katerina Blagoevska
- Food Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Lazar Pop-Trajkov 5-7, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Armend Cana
- Microbiology Laboratory, University for Business and Technology-Higher Education Institution, Kalabria, 10000 Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Dean Jankuloski
- Food Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Lazar Pop-Trajkov 5-7, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Benjamin Félix
- Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, ANSES, European Union Reference Laboratory for L. monocytogenes, University of Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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2
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Gorski L, Aviles Noriega A. Fitness Differences Between Listeria monocytogenes Serotypes 1/2a, 4b, and 4bv-1 in Competition for Growth on Lettuce Leaf Sections. J Food Prot 2024; 87:100333. [PMID: 39059611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that lives in nature as a saprophyte. Two of the three most common serotypes that cause foodborne listeriosis are 1/2a and 4b. Within serotype 4b, there is a variant called 4bv-1. In the last decade, several produce-related outbreaks (linked to leafy salad, caramel apples, and stone fruit) were linked to 4bv-1 strains, specifically those of Sequence Type 382. This study assessed the fitness of ST 382 strains on lettuce leaf sections to determine if they are more fit on produce than strains of other serotypes. Strains of serotypes 1/2a, 4b, and ST 382 were inoculated as mixtures onto lettuce and incubated at 4 °C for 7 days or 25 °C for 24 h. Thirty L. monocytogenes colonies resulting from the growth on each lettuce piece were characterized for serotype by multiplex PCR, and the percentages of each serotype recovered were compared. In the individual mixtures with three strains, none of the ST 382 strains showed better fitness for growth on lettuce at either 4 °C or 25 °C. Overall, ST 382 strains showed better recovery from lettuce sections grown at 4 °C than at 25 °C. Statistical analysis of the recovery of twelve strains tested in competition experiments indicated that ST 382 strains were less fit for lettuce growth when competing against the other serotypes. The data indicate that ST 382 strains do not have a competitive fitness advantage on cut lettuce sections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Gorski
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, Produce Safety and Microbiology Unit, Albany, CA 94710, USA.
| | - Ashley Aviles Noriega
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, Produce Safety and Microbiology Unit, Albany, CA 94710, USA
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3
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Heiderich E, Origgi FC, Pisano SRR, Kittl S, Oevermann A, Ryser-Degiorgis MP, Marti IA. LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES INFECTION IN FREE-RANGING RED FOXES ( VULPES VULPES) AND EURASIAN LYNX ( LYNX LYNX) IN SWITZERLAND. J Zoo Wildl Med 2024; 55:268-276. [PMID: 38453511 DOI: 10.1638/2022-0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is an ubiquitous environmental saprophytic bacterium causing listeriosis in domestic animals, humans, and occasionally wildlife. In animals, this foodborne zoonotic disease mainly occurs in ruminants and it is rare in carnivores. Seven red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and one Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) were diagnosed with listeriosis between 2010 and 2021 at the Institute for Fish and Wildlife Health, Bern, Switzerland. Necropsy and histopathology revealed meningitis (six of seven red foxes), hepatitis (six of seven red foxes), pneumonia (five of seven red foxes), splenitis (two of seven red foxes) and splenomegaly (the Eurasian lynx, two of seven red foxes). Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from either lung, spleen, liver, or kidney of all animals. Serotyping detected L. monocytogenes serotype 1/2a in five red foxes and the Eurasian lynx and serotype 4b in two red foxes. Six red foxes were positive for canine distemper virus (CDV) by polymerase chain reaction, whereas the Eurasian lynx and one red fox were negative. One red fox that was positive for CDV and listeriosis was also diagnosed with salmonellosis. The identified L. monocytogenes serotypes are among the three most frequently isolated serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b) from food or the food production environment and those that cause most listeriosis cases in humans and animals. Coinfection with CDV in six red foxes questions the role of CDV as potential predisposing factor for septicemic listeriosis. The detection of listeriosis in the regionally endangered Eurasian lynx and in carnivores highly abundant in urban settings, such as red foxes, reinforces the importance of wildlife health surveillance in a One Health context and adds the Eurasian lynx to the list of carnivores susceptible to the disease. Further investigations are required to assess the prevalence and epidemiology of L. monocytogenes in free-ranging carnivores and its interaction with CDV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Heiderich
- Institute for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Postfach, 3001 Bern, Switzerland,
| | - Francesco C Origgi
- Institute for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Postfach, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Simone R R Pisano
- Institute for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Postfach, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Kittl
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Bern, Postfach, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Oevermann
- Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, Neurological Sciences, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Iris A Marti
- Institute for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Postfach, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
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Félix B, Capitaine K, Te S, Felten A, Gillot G, Feurer C, van den Bosch T, Torresi M, Sréterné Lancz Z, Delannoy S, Brauge T, Midelet G, Leblanc JC, Roussel S. Identification by High-Throughput Real-Time PCR of 30 Major Circulating Listeria monocytogenes Clonal Complexes in Europe. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0395422. [PMID: 37158749 PMCID: PMC10269651 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03954-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous bacterium that causes a foodborne illness, listeriosis. Most strains can be classified into major clonal complexes (CCs) that account for the majority of outbreaks and sporadic cases in Europe. In addition to the 20 CCs known to account for the majority of human and animal clinical cases, 10 CCs are frequently reported in food production, thereby posing a serious challenge for the agrifood industry. Therefore, there is a need for a rapid and reliable method to identify these 30 major CCs. The high-throughput real-time PCR assay presented here provides accurate identification of these 30 CCs and eight genetic subdivisions within four CCs, splitting each CC into two distinct subpopulations, along with the molecular serogroup of a strain. Based on the BioMark high-throughput real-time PCR system, our assay analyzes 46 strains against 40 real-time PCR arrays in a single experiment. This European study (i) designed the assay from a broad panel of 3,342 L. monocytogenes genomes, (ii) tested its sensitivity and specificity on 597 sequenced strains collected from 24 European countries, and (iii) evaluated its performance in the typing of 526 strains collected during surveillance activities. The assay was then optimized for conventional multiplex real-time PCR for easy implementation in food laboratories. It has already been used for outbreak investigations. It represents a key tool for assisting food laboratories to establish strain relatedness with human clinical strains during outbreak investigations and for helping food business operators by improving their microbiological management plans. IMPORTANCE Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is the reference method for Listeria monocytogenes typing but is expensive and takes time to perform, from 3 to 5 days for laboratories that outsource sequencing. Thirty major MLST clonal complexes (CCs) are circulating in the food chain and are currently identifiable only by sequencing. Therefore, there is a need for a rapid and reliable method to identify these CCs. The method presented here enables the rapid identification, by real-time PCR, of 30 CCs and eight genetic subdivisions within four CCs, splitting each CC into two distinct subpopulations. The assay was then optimized on different conventional multiplex real-time PCR systems for easy implementation in food laboratories. The two assays will be used for frontline identification of L. monocytogenes isolates prior to whole-genome sequencing. Such assays are of great interest for all food industry stakeholders and public agencies for tracking L. monocytogenes food contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Félix
- ANSES, European Union Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Karine Capitaine
- ANSES, European Union Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sandrine Te
- ANSES, European Union Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Arnaud Felten
- ANSES, Ploufragan/Plouzané/Niort Laboratory, Viral Genetics and Bio-Security Unit, Université Européenne de Bretagne, Ploufragan, France
| | | | - Carole Feurer
- IFIP–The French Pig and Pork Institute, Department of Fresh and Processed Meat, Le Rheu, France
| | - Tijs van den Bosch
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Department of Bacteriology, Molecular Technology and Antimicrobial Resistance, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marina Torresi
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale” Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Zsuzsanna Sréterné Lancz
- Microbiological National Reference Laboratory, National Food Chain Safety Office, Food Chain Safety Laboratory Directorate, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sabine Delannoy
- ANSES, Laboratory for Food Safety, IdentyPath Platform, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Thomas Brauge
- ANSES, Laboratory for Food Safety, Bacteriology and Parasitology of Fishery and Aquaculture Products Unit, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
| | - Graziella Midelet
- ANSES, Laboratory for Food Safety, Bacteriology and Parasitology of Fishery and Aquaculture Products Unit, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
| | - Jean-Charles Leblanc
- ANSES, European Union Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sophie Roussel
- ANSES, European Union Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
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Ripa A, Díaz-Caballero JA, Palacios-González MJ, Zalba J, Espinosa A, García-Zapata JL, Gómez-Martín A, Tkach V, Fernández-Garcia JL. Non-Invasive Wildlife Disease Surveillance Using Real Time PCR Assays: The Case of the Endangered Galemys pyrenaicus Populations from the Central System Mountains (Extremadura, Spain). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071136. [PMID: 37048392 PMCID: PMC10093302 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) is a small semi-aquatic mammal that inhabits mountainous areas from the centre to the north of the Iberian Peninsula and the Pyrenees and is listed as endangered because it has suffered a serious decline. Since 1960, only three species of digeneans (Omphalometra flexuosa, Maritrema pyrenaica and Mathovius galemydis) and two nematodes (Aonchotheca galemydis and Paracuaria hispanica) have been reported from the desman, but no further information on health status and no data from Extremadura has been available. The aim of our study was to characterise the diversity and distribution of parasites and microbiomes of desmans in different areas of the Central System of Extremadura. Between 2019 and 2021 we collected 238 fecal samples and one tissue (intestine) sample that was obtained from a dead desman. DNA templates were processed by commercial or customised real-time PCR using TaqMan probes. Representative data were obtained for Cryptosporidium spp., Omphalometra spp., Eimeria spp., Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Leptospira spp. Omphalometra spp. was studied using a newly developed PCR test. The screening of the dead desman allowed us to obtain, for the first time, a partial sequence of the 18SrDNA. This study is the most complete study of the desman, allowing us to identify parasites and the microbiome in populations of G. pyrenaicus using non-invasive sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Ripa
- Genetic and Animal Breeding, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
| | - José A Díaz-Caballero
- Dirección General Sostenibilidad, Consejería Para la Transición Ecológica y Sostenibilidad, Junta de Extremadura, 06800 Merida, Spain
| | - María Jesús Palacios-González
- Dirección General Sostenibilidad, Consejería Para la Transición Ecológica y Sostenibilidad, Junta de Extremadura, 06800 Merida, Spain
| | - Javier Zalba
- Dirección General Sostenibilidad, Consejería Para la Transición Ecológica y Sostenibilidad, Junta de Extremadura, 06800 Merida, Spain
| | - Antonio Espinosa
- Genetic and Animal Breeding, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
| | | | - Ana Gómez-Martín
- Genetic and Animal Breeding, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Vasyl Tkach
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58201, USA
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Minarovičová J, Adriana V, Zuzana K, Andrezál M, Hana D, Eva K. Tracing of persistent Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ewe's milk farm. Lett Appl Microbiol 2023; 76:6988184. [PMID: 36695431 DOI: 10.1093/lambio/ovad006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Ewe's milk farm production is permanently associated with the risk of contamination by pathogenic bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes. In the present study, the prevalence and diversity of L. monocytogenes strains repeatedly isolated from tank ewe's milk and the milking environment on a farm in Slovakia during a prolonged period were investigated to identify the source of potentially persistent contamination. A total of 140 samples along the milk production chain were collected during an 18-month period. From all these samples, 45 samples were found L. monocytogenes positive with 90.3% positivity of tank milk samples (28 positive samples from 31 analysed). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiling resulted in strain discrimination into six profiles with one pulsotype (NS1) corresponding to MLST-ST14 being predominant. A total of 17 proportionally selected L. monocytogenes isolates, including 11 NS1/ST14 isolates, were subjected to whole genome sequencing. Resulted data were used to compare the genomes diversity and to confirm the persistent contamination when <10 allelic differences threshold in cgMLST analysis was applied. The source of persistent contamination was localized inside the milking apparatus, probably in shelters that were very difficult to clean. Despite great efforts, the ewe's milk contamination could not be eliminated during the reporting period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Minarovičová
- Food Research Institute, National Agricultural and Food Centre, Priemyselná 4, 82475 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Véghová Adriana
- Food Research Institute, National Agricultural and Food Centre, Priemyselná 4, 82475 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Kubicová Zuzana
- State Veterinary and Food Institute, Jánoškova 1611/58, 026 01 Dolný Kubín, Slovakia
| | - Michal Andrezál
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 84215 Bratislava 4, Slovakia
| | - Drahovská Hana
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 84215 Bratislava 4, Slovakia.,Science Park, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Kaclíková Eva
- Food Research Institute, National Agricultural and Food Centre, Priemyselná 4, 82475 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Costa-Ribeiro A, Azinheiro S, Roumani F, Prado M, Lamas A, Garrido-Maestu A. Multiplex Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Foods. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2967:63-73. [PMID: 37608103 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3358-8_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a group of human foodborne pathogens transmitted to humans through the consumption of different types of food. Their detection is mainly performed by targeting specific serogroups by classical microbiological methods and, later, by molecular typing with different techniques. The application of multiplex real-time PCR (qPCR) can significantly improve the turnaround time of the existing methodologies as in one single run it is possible to detect and characterize specific microorganisms. In the present chapter, a pentaplex qPCR assay is described for the identification of STEC which may also be applied for the rapid screening of these pathogens in different types of foods. The assay targets the most important virulence factors of these microorganisms, the genes stx1, stx2, and eae, along with the rfbE gene which encodes for the "O157" antigen as this is the most prevalent serogroup among all STEC, as well as an internal amplification control to rule out false-negative results due to qPCR inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Costa-Ribeiro
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Food Quality and Safety Research Group, Braga, Portugal
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Sarah Azinheiro
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Food Quality and Safety Research Group, Braga, Portugal
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Foteini Roumani
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Food Quality and Safety Research Group, Braga, Portugal
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Marta Prado
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Food Quality and Safety Research Group, Braga, Portugal
| | - Alexandre Lamas
- Food Hygiene, Inspection and Control Laboratory, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Alejandro Garrido-Maestu
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Food Quality and Safety Research Group, Braga, Portugal.
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Azinheiro S, Roumani F, Costa-Ribeiro A, Prado M, Garrido-Maestu A. Application of MinION sequencing as a tool for the rapid detection and characterization of Listeria monocytogenes in smoked salmon. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:931810. [PMID: 36033887 PMCID: PMC9399719 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.931810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial pathogens may be present in different types of foods, and hence the development of novel methods to assure consumers' safeness is of great interest. Molecular methods are known to provide sensitive and rapid results; however, they are typically targeted approaches. In recent years, the advent of non-targeted approaches based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) has emerged as a rational way to proceed. This technology allows for the detection of several pathogens simultaneously. Furthermore, with the same set of data, it is possible to characterize the microorganisms in terms of serotype, virulence, and/ or resistance genes, among other molecular features. In the current study, a novel method for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes based on the "quasimetagenomics" approach was developed. Different enrichment media and immunomagnetic separation (IMS) strategies were compared to determine the best approach in terms of L. monocytogenes sequences generated from smoked salmon samples. Finally, the data generated were analyzed with a user-friendly workflow that simultaneously provided the species identification, serotype, and antimicrobial resistance genes. The new method was thoroughly evaluated against a culture-based approach, using smoked salmon inoculated with L. monocytogenes as the matrix of choice. The sequencing method reached a very low limit of detection (LOD50, 1.2 CFU/ 25 g) along with high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity (100%), and a perfect correlation with the culture-based method (Cohen's k = 1.00). Overall, the proposed method overcomes all the major limitations reported for the implementation of NGS as a routine food testing technology and paves the way for future developments taking its advantage into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Azinheiro
- Food Quality and Safety Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Foteini Roumani
- Food Quality and Safety Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Ana Costa-Ribeiro
- Food Quality and Safety Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Marta Prado
- Food Quality and Safety Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Alejandro Garrido-Maestu
- Food Quality and Safety Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
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9
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Martín I, Rodríguez A, Alía A, Martínez-Blanco M, Lozano-Ojalvo D, Córdoba JJ. Control of Listeria monocytogenes growth and virulence in a traditional soft cheese model system based on lactic acid bacteria and a whey protein hydrolysate with antimicrobial activity. Int J Food Microbiol 2022; 361:109444. [PMID: 34749186 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2021.109444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
"Torta del Casar" is a Spanish soft-ripened cheese made with sheep's raw milk and subjected to a short ripening process, which favors the growth of pathogenic microorganisms including Listeria monocytogenes. The development of strategies to control pathogens and minimize health risks associated with the presence of L. monocytogenes in these products is of great interest. In this regard, the anti-Listeria activity of a whey protein hydrolysate (ProH) alone or combined with six lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from cheese was evaluated in this study as a biocontrol strategy using a "Torta del Casar" cheese-based medium. The most active combinations of lactic acid bacteria assayed induced a reduction higher than two logarithmic units in the growth of L. monocytogenes (serotype 4b) compared to their respective control when they were co-inoculated in "Torta del Casar" cheese-based medium at 7 °C for 7 days. In addition, the observed downregulation of some key virulence genes of L. monocytogenes suggests that the strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum B2 alone and combined with the strain Lactiplantibacillus spp. B4 are good candidates to be used as biocontrol agents against L. monocytogenes growth in traditional soft cheeses based on raw milk during their storage at refrigeration temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Martín
- Food Hygiene and Safety, Meat and Meat Products Research Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Extremadura, Avda. de las Ciencias, s/n, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Alicia Rodríguez
- Food Hygiene and Safety, Meat and Meat Products Research Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Extremadura, Avda. de las Ciencias, s/n, 10003 Cáceres, Spain.
| | - Alberto Alía
- Food Hygiene and Safety, Meat and Meat Products Research Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Extremadura, Avda. de las Ciencias, s/n, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Mónica Martínez-Blanco
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL) (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Lozano-Ojalvo
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL) (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan J Córdoba
- Food Hygiene and Safety, Meat and Meat Products Research Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Extremadura, Avda. de las Ciencias, s/n, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
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10
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Specific detection of the most prevalent five Listeria strains and unspecific detection of 15 Listeria using multiplex real-time PCR. Eur Food Res Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00217-021-03697-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Burall LS, Sepehri S, Srinivasan D, Grim CJ, Lacher DW, Ferguson M, Nambiar R, Datta AR. Development and Validation of a Quantitative PCR Method for Species Verification and Serogroup Determination of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates. J Food Prot 2021; 84:333-344. [PMID: 32977330 DOI: 10.4315/jfp-20-178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is one of the leading causes of death because of foodborne illness, affecting the elderly, pregnant women, neonates, and people who are immunocompromised. Serologically, Lm can be classified into 13 serotypes, although only 4 are typically linked with food contamination and illness. Since 2000, a shift in serotypes involved in listeriosis outbreaks has been observed, suggesting that tracking of serotypes could help identify emerging trends. A PCR method developed in 2004 allowed detection of the four major serotypes as molecular serogroups, corresponding to broad phylogenetic groups. In this study, a novel quantitative PCR (qPCR) method was developed that uses two multiplex qPCRs, one to confirm the Listeria genus and Lm species and the second for Lm molecular serogrouping. This method was compared with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) method for Lm and the seroagglutination method, using a 208-strain panel. Comparison of the genus and species qPCR assay with the BAM methods found an equal or slightly higher accuracy for the qPCR method (>98%), compared with the BAM protocol (>96%), when evaluated against independent characterization data. Molecular serogrouping using the qPCR method (96.6%) was more accurate than the seroagglutination assay (75.6%). The qPCR method identified Lm 4bV strains, which could not be resolved using seroagglutination. The qPCR could not identify lineage III and IV serotype 4b strains but did correctly identify 16 of 18 lineage III and IV strains. The qPCR method performed genus identification for the Listeria species Lm, L. innocua, L. welshimeri, L. ivanovii, and L. seeligeri. In addition, the method performed species identification for Lm and classified Lm into six molecular serogroups: 2A, 2B, 2C, 4B, NT, and 4bV. This method provided a rapid and accurate confirmation of Lm and serogroup determinations; furthermore, it could help identify otherwise unlinked strains by enabling whole genome sequencing analysis based on broad phylogeny, independent of other information. HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel S Burall
- Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland 20708
| | - Sadra Sepehri
- Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740
| | - Devayani Srinivasan
- Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740
| | - Christopher J Grim
- Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland 20708
| | - David W Lacher
- Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland 20708
| | - Martine Ferguson
- Office of Analytics and Outreach, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland 20740, USA
| | - Rohini Nambiar
- Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740
| | - Atin R Datta
- Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland 20708
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12
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Li F, Ye Q, Chen M, Zhang J, Xue L, Wang J, Wu S, Zeng H, Gu Q, Zhang Y, Wei X, Ding Y, Wu Q. Multiplex PCR for the Identification of Pathogenic Listeria in Flammulina velutipes Plant Based on Novel Specific Targets Revealed by Pan-Genome Analysis. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:634255. [PMID: 33519795 PMCID: PMC7843925 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.634255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria spp. is an important foodborne disease agent, often found in the fresh mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) and its production environment. The aim of this study was to develop multiplex PCR for rapid identification of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii, and nonpathogenic Listeria in F. velutipes plants. Pan-genome analysis was first used to identify five novel Listeria-specific targets: one for the Listeria genus, one for L. monocytogenes, and three for L. ivanovii. Primers for the novel targets were highly specific in individual reactions. The detection limits were 103-104 CFU/mL, meeting the requirements of molecular detection. A mPCR assay for the identification of pathogenic Listeria, with primers targeting the novel genes specific for Listeria genus (LMOSLCC2755_0944), L. monocytogenes (LMOSLCC2755_0090), and L. ivanovii (queT_1) was then designed. The assay specificity was robustly verified by analyzing nonpathogenic Listeria and non-Listeria spp. strains. The determined detection limits were 2.0 × 103 CFU/mL for L. monocytogenes and 3.4 × 103 CFU/mL for L. ivanovii, for pure culture analysis. Further, the assay detected 7.6 × 104 to 7.6 × 100 CFU/10 g of pathogenic Listeria spiked into F. velutipes samples following 4-12 h enrichment. The assay feasibility was evaluated by comparing with a traditional culture-based method, by analyzing 129 samples collected from different F. velutipes plants. The prevalence of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes was 58.1% and 41.1%, respectively. The calculated κ factors for Listeria spp., L. monocytogenes, and L. ivanovii were 0.97, 0.97, and 1, respectively. The results of the novel mPCR assay were highly consistent with those of the culture-based method. The new assay thus will allow rapid, specific, and accurate detection and monitoring of pathogenic Listeria in food and its production environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qinghua Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Moutong Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jumei Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang Xue
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Wang
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qihui Gu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youxiong Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianhu Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Ding
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingping Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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13
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Zhang X, Ling L, Li Z, Wang J. Mining Listeria monocytogenes single nucleotide polymorphism sites to identify the major serotypes using allele-specific multiplex PCR. Int J Food Microbiol 2020; 335:108885. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2020.108885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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14
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Alía A, Andrade MJ, Rodríguez A, Martín I, Pérez-Baltar A, Medina M, Córdoba JJ. Prevalence and characterization of Listeria monocytogenes in deboning and slicing areas of Spanish dry-cured ham processing. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2020.109498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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McLauchlin J, Grant KA, Amar CFL. Human foodborne listeriosis in England and Wales, 1981 to 2015. Epidemiol Infect 2020; 148:e54. [PMID: 32070445 PMCID: PMC7078583 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268820000473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost all cases of human listeriosis are foodborne, however the proportion where specific exposures are identified is small. Between 1981 and 2015, 5252 human listeriosis cases were reported in England and Wales. The purpose of this study was to summarise data where consumption of specific foods was identified with transmission and these comprised 11 sporadic cases and 17 outbreaks. There was a single outbreak in the community of 378 cases (7% of the total) which was associated with pâté consumption and 112 cases (2% of the total) attributed to specific foods in all the other incidents. The proportion of food-attributed cases increased during this study with improvements in typing methods for Listeria monocytogenes. Ten incidents (one sporadic case and nine outbreaks of 2-9 cases over 4 days to 32 months) occurred in hospitals: all were associated with the consumption of pre-prepared sandwiches. The 18 community incidents comprised eight outbreaks (seven of between 3 and 17 cases) and 10 sporadic cases: food of animal origin was implicated in 16 of the incidents (sliced or potted meats, pork pies, pâté, liver, chicken, crab-meat, butter and soft cheese) and food of non-animal origin in the remaining two (olives and vegetable rennet).
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Affiliation(s)
- J. McLauchlin
- Public Health England Food Water and Environmental Microbiology Services, National Infection Service, Colindale, London. NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - K. A. Grant
- Public Health EnglandGastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, National Infection Service, 61 Colindale Avenue, London. NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - C. F. L. Amar
- Public Health EnglandGastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, National Infection Service, 61 Colindale Avenue, London. NW9 5EQ, UK
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Alía A, Andrade MJ, Córdoba JJ, Martín I, Rodríguez A. Development of a multiplex real-time PCR to differentiate the four major Listeria monocytogenes serotypes in isolates from meat processing plants. Food Microbiol 2019; 87:103367. [PMID: 31948615 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2019.103367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne pathogen, causative agent of listeriosis. The epidemiology and persistence of this bacterium in meat processing plants may be related to its serotype, so it is of utmost importance to carry out a correct differentiation of L. monocytogenes serotypes. The objective of this study was to develop a unique quadruplex real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) method able to differentiate the four most predominant and worrying L. monocytogenes serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c and 4b) in isolates from meat processing plants and ready-to-eat (RTE) dry-cured meat products. The design of specific primers and probes was based on the lmo0737, lmo0308, ORFC (locus genomically equivalent to gltA-gltB) and ORF2110 genes. A qPCR based on a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene was used to ensure the amplification of Listeria spp. genomic DNA. The standard curves showed efficiency values ranging between 92.3% and 105.8% and, R2 values > 0.98. The specificity of the method was also confirmed by the comparison of the results with those obtained by a previously reported conventional multiplex PCR. In addition, none of the strains which were not ascribed to L. monocytogenes amplified any of the target genes related to the four major serotypes of this pathogenic species. The qPCR, therefore, provides a sensitive, specific and rapid tool for identifying the L. monocytogenes serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c and 4b. This method could be very useful for identifying sources of L. monocytogenes contamination in the meat industry or for epidemiological monitoring of persistent strains throughout the processing of RTE meat products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Alía
- Food Hygiene and Safety, Meat and Meat Products Research Institute. Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Extremadura, Avda. de Las Ciencias, S/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - María J Andrade
- Food Hygiene and Safety, Meat and Meat Products Research Institute. Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Extremadura, Avda. de Las Ciencias, S/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Juan J Córdoba
- Food Hygiene and Safety, Meat and Meat Products Research Institute. Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Extremadura, Avda. de Las Ciencias, S/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Irene Martín
- Food Hygiene and Safety, Meat and Meat Products Research Institute. Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Extremadura, Avda. de Las Ciencias, S/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Alicia Rodríguez
- Food Hygiene and Safety, Meat and Meat Products Research Institute. Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Extremadura, Avda. de Las Ciencias, S/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain.
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Characteristics of Listeria Monocytogenes Strains Persisting in a Meat Processing Facility over a 4-Year Period. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8010032. [PMID: 30866522 PMCID: PMC6471029 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes can persist in food production facilities, resulting in serious threats to consumers due to the high mortality associated with listeriosis, especially in the very young, old and pregnant. We subtyped 124 strains of L. monocytogenes isolated from a meat processing facility in Switzerland by serotyping, multi locus sequence typing (MLST) typing and whole genome sequencing. We then analyzed their ability to form biofilms and their resistance to the disinfectants benzalkonium chloride (BC) and peracetic acid (PAA). The genotyping results of the strains showed that several clonal populations of L. monocytogenes belonging to CC9, CC204 and CC121 had persisted in this meat processing facility for at least four years. All of the strains showed biofilm forming capacity comparable to a known high biofilm forming strain. Known efflux pumps for BC were present in CC204, CC9 (brcABC) and CC121 (qacH) strains, while strains from other CC showed very low minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for BC. For PAA, minimal bactericidal concentrations of 1.2–1.6% for 20 min and minimal inhibitory concentrations between 0.1 and 0.2% were observed. These values were close to or above the recommended concentration for use (0.5–1%), suggesting that PAA might be ineffective at controlling L. monocytogenes in this and potentially other meat processing facilities.
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19
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McLAUCHLIN J, JØRGENSEN F, AIRD H, CHARLETT A, ELVISS N, FENELON D, FOX A, WILLIS C, AMAR CFL. An assessment of the microbiological quality of liver-based pâté in England 2012-13: comparison of samples collected at retail and from catering businesses. Epidemiol Infect 2017; 145:1545-1556. [PMID: 28190406 PMCID: PMC9203344 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268817000255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the microbiological quality of liver pâté. During 2012-13, a total of 870 samples, unrelated to the investigation of food-poisoning outbreaks, were collected either at retail (46%), catering (53%) or the point of manufacture (1%) and were tested using standard methods to detect Salmonella spp. or Campylobacter spp., and to enumerate for Listeria spp., including Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium perfringens, coagulase-positive staphylococci including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., including Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, and aerobic colony counts (ACCs). Seventy-three percent of samples were of satisfactory microbiological quality, 18% were borderline and 9% unsatisfactory. Salmonella spp. or Campylobacter spp. was not recovered from any sample. The most common causes of unsatisfactory results were elevated ACCs (6% of the samples) and high Enterobacteriaceae counts (4% of samples). The remaining unsatisfactory results were due to elevated counts of: E. coli (three samples); B. cereus (one sample at 2·6 × 105 cfu/g); or L. monocytogenes (one sample at 2·9 × 103 cfu/g). Pâté from retail was less likely to be contaminated with L. monocytogenes than samples collected from catering and samples from supermarkets were of significantly better microbiological quality than those from catering establishments.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. McLAUCHLIN
- Public Health England Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Services, London NW9 5EQ, UK
- University of Liverpool, Institute of Infection and Global Health, UK
| | - F. JØRGENSEN
- Public Health England Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Porton, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - H. AIRD
- Public Health England Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory York, National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, York, YO41 1LZ, York, UK
| | - A. CHARLETT
- Public Health England Statistics, Modelling and Economics Department, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - N. ELVISS
- Public Health England Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory London, Colindale, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - D. FENELON
- Public Health England Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Birmingham, Good Hope Hospital, Sutton Coldfield, B75 7RR, UK
| | - A. FOX
- Public Health England Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Preston, Royal Preston Hospital, Preston PR2 9HT, UK
| | - C. WILLIS
- Public Health England Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Porton, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - C. F. L. AMAR
- Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, Public Health England, Colindale, London NW9 5EQ, UK
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20
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An assessment of the microbiological quality of lightly cooked food (including sous-vide) at the point of consumption in England. Epidemiol Infect 2017; 145:1500-1509. [PMID: 28236815 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268817000048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This observational study aims to investigate the microbiological quality of commercially prepared lightly cooked foods with a major component of food of animal origin and collected as would be served to a consumer. A total of 356 samples were collected from catering (92%), retail (7%) or producers (1%) and all were independent of known incidents of foodborne illness. Using standard methods, all samples were tested for: the presence of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. and enumerated for levels of, Bacillus spp. including B. cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Listeria spp. including L. monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriacea and aerobic colony count (ACC). Results were interpreted as unsatisfactory, borderline or satisfactory according to the Health Protection Agency guidelines for assessing the microbiological safety of ready-to-eat foods placed on the market. Amongst all samples, 70% were classified as satisfactory, 18% were borderline and 12% were of unsatisfactory microbiological quality. Amongst the unsatisfactory samples, six (2%) were potentially injurious to health due to the presence of: Salmonella spp. (one duck breast); Campylobacter spp. (two duck breast and one chicken liver pâté); L. monocytogenes at 4·3 × 103 cfu (colony-forming units)/g (one duck confit with foie gras ballotin) and C. perfringens at 2·5 × 105 cfu/g (one chicken liver pâté). The remaining unsatisfactory samples were due to high levels of indicator E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae or ACC.
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McLauchlin J, Aird H, Charlett A, Elviss N, Fox A, Kaye M, Willis C. Assessment of the Microbiological Quality of Meat Pies from Retail Sale in England 2013. J Food Prot 2016; 79:781-8. [PMID: 27296425 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-15-535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Outbreaks of foodborne illness caused by Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogenes in England associated with meat pie consumption were detected in 2012. To obtain baseline data for pies unrelated to outbreaks, 862 samples of ready-to-eat meat pies were collected at retail or from catering facilities in England in 2013 and examined to enumerate food-poisoning bacteria and indicator organisms using Organization for Standardization (ISO) methods for Listeria spp. including L. monocytogenes (ISO 11290), Clostridium perfringens (ISO 21528), coagulase-positive staphylococci including Staphylococcus aureus (ISO 6888), Bacillus spp. including B. cereus (ISO 1737), Escherichia coli (ISO 16649), Enterobacteriaceae (ISO 21528), and aerobic colony counts (ACCs; ISO 4833). Microbiological quality was satisfactory in 94% of samples, borderline in 5%, and unsatisfactory in 1%. The proportion of pies from markets that were borderline or unsatisfactory significantly increased, and the proportion of borderline or unsatisfactory pies from supermarkets significantly decreased. Among the refrigerated (0 to 15°C) pies, microbiological quality significantly decreased in pies stored at >8°C and further significantly decreased at in pies stored at ambient temperature (>15 to 25°C). Samples collected at 25 to 40°C had the highest proportion of borderline or unsatisfactory results, but results improved in pies stored at >40°C. The most common cause for borderline or unsatisfactory results was elevated ACCs (5% of all samples). Within the individual microbiological parameters, borderline or unsatisfactory results resulted from elevated Enterobacteriaceae or Bacillus levels (10 samples for each), C. perfringens levels (2 samples), and S. aureus or E. coli levels (1 sample each). L. monocytogenes was recovered from one pie at <10 CFU/g. A literature review revealed a range of microbiological hazards responsible for food poisoning and meat pie consumption, and surveillance data from 1992 to 2012 from England indicated that C. perfringens was the most commonly reported cause of outbreaks of foodborne illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim McLauchlin
- Food, Water, and Environmental Microbiology Services, Public Health England, London NW9 5EQ, UK; Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK
| | - Heather Aird
- Food, Water, and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory York, National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, Public Health England, York YO41 1LZ, UK
| | - Andre Charlett
- Statistics Modelling and Economics Department, Public Health England, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Nicola Elviss
- Food, Water, and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory London, Public Health England, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Andrew Fox
- Food, Water, and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Preston, Royal Preston Hospital, Public Health England, Preston PR2 9HT, UK
| | - Moira Kaye
- Food, Water, and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Birmingham, Good Hope Hospital, Public Health England, Sutton, Coldfield B75 7RR, UK
| | - Caroline Willis
- Food, Water, and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Porton, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
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Camargo AC, Woodward JJ, Nero LA. The Continuous Challenge of Characterizing the Foodborne Pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2016; 13:405-16. [PMID: 27120361 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2015.2115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne pathogen commonly isolated from food processing environments and food products. This organism can multiply at refrigeration temperatures, form biofilms on different materials and under various conditions, resist a range of environmental stresses, and contaminate food products by cross-contamination. L. monocytogenes is recognized as the causative agent of listeriosis, a serious disease that affects mainly individuals from high-risk groups, such as pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Listeriosis can be considered a disease that has emerged along with changing eating habits and large-scale industrial food processing. This disease causes losses of billions of dollars every year with recalls of contaminated foods and patient medical treatment expenses. In addition to the immune status of the host and the infecting dose, the virulence potential of each strain is crucial for the development of disease symptoms. While many isolates are naturally virulent, other isolates are avirulent and unable to cause disease; this may vary according to the presence of molecular determinants associated with virulence. In the last decade, the characterization of genetic profiles through the use of molecular methods has helped track and demonstrate the genetic diversity among L. monocytogenes isolates obtained from various sources. The purposes of this review were to summarize the main methods used for isolation, identification, and typing of L. monocytogenes and also describe its most relevant virulence characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson Carlos Camargo
- 1 Departamento de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa , Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Luís Augusto Nero
- 1 Departamento de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa , Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Camargo AC, Vallim DC, Hofer E, Nero LA. Molecular Serogrouping of Listeria monocytogenes from Brazil Using PCR. J Food Prot 2016; 79:144-7. [PMID: 26735041 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-15-294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We assessed the serotype distribution of Listeria monocytogenes isolates from clinical, beef, and environment samples using two PCR-based protocols for serogrouping. A panel of 134 isolates (22 clinical samples, 79 samples of beef cuts, and 33 samples from the beef processing environment) were subjected to conventional serology and identified as serotypes 1/2a (n = 12), 1/2b (n = 21), 1/2c (n = 71), and 4b (n = 30). Isolates from clinical samples were predominantly serotype 4b, and the most prevalent serotype among the beef cut and environment samples was 1/2c. The protocol described by M. Doumith, C. Buchrieser, P. Glaser, C. Jacquet, and P. Martin (J. Clin. Microbiol. 42:3819-3822, 2004) produced contradictory results for seven 1/2a isolates, which were positive for lmo1118 and had the profile IIc (serotypes 1/2c and 3c). Fifteen serotype 4b isolates amplified the target lmo0737, with the atypical profile IVb variant 1. The results obtained with the protocol described by M. K. Borucki and D. R. Call (J. Clin. Microbiol. 41:5537-5540, 2003) were in full agreement with those of the conventional serology. We recommend using this multiplex PCR approach by adding one pair of the reported primers to the panel to reduce total effort by one PCR while maintaining specificity. We present additional recommendations to improve the efficiency and reproducibility of this serogrouping assay.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Deyse Christina Vallim
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Zoonoses Bacterianas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ernesto Hofer
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Zoonoses Bacterianas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luís Augusto Nero
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Veterinária, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
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Gene expression in Listeria monocytogenes exposed to sublethal concentration of benzalkonium chloride. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2015; 40:31-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Tamburro M, Sammarco ML, Ammendolia MG, Fanelli I, Minelli F, Ripabelli G. Evaluation of transcription levels of inlA, inlB, hly, bsh and prfA genes in Listeria monocytogenes strains using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR and ability of invasion into human CaCo-2 cells. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2015; 362:fnv018. [PMID: 25673285 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnv018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes virulence depends on the activity of well-characterized virulence factors. In this study, transcription levels of inlA, inlB, hly, bsh and prfA genes in L. monocytogenes strains, and the ability of invasion into CaCo-2 cells were investigated. Serotyping, multiplex-PCR for serovar identification and restriction fragment analysis of inlA were performed. Transcription levels and invasiveness were evaluated by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR and by in vitro assays, respectively. The isolates were of serovars 1/2a, 4b, 1/2c, 1/2b and 3a. Full-length inlA profiles were found for nine of ten clinical isolates, while five of seven cultures from foods showed truncated profile. The analysis of transcription levels of virulence factors encoding genes demonstrated a substantial inter-strain heterogeneity, with clinical strains showing higher levels for almost all genes than isolates from food. A correlation between transcription levels of inlA and inlB, as well as between bsh and prfA, was observed. Significant differences between clinical strains and food isolates in the invasion of CaCo-2 cells were found. Analysis of gene transcription and invasiveness of human cells suggests different virulence phenotypes among L. monocytogenes populations, and this characterization could be a useful tool for risk assessment purposes and for the development of public health strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Tamburro
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | | | | | - Incoronata Fanelli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Fabio Minelli
- European Reference Laboratory for Escherichia coli, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ripabelli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
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Garrido-Maestu A, Chapela MJ, Vieites JM, Cabado AG. Application of real-time PCR to detect Listeria monocytogenes in a mussel processing industry: Impact on control. Food Control 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2014.05.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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27
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Hage E, Mpamugo O, Ohai C, Sapkota S, Swift C, Wooldridge D, Amar CFL. Identification of six Listeria species by real-time PCR assay. Lett Appl Microbiol 2014; 58:535-40. [PMID: 24461044 DOI: 10.1111/lam.12223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Revised: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The Listeria genus comprises 10 recognized species. Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis in humans and other animals primarily via contaminated food or animal feed. Listeria ivanovii causes listeriosis in animals and on rare occasions in humans. The identification of nonpathogenic species of Listeria in foods indicates that conditions exist that support the growth of pathogenic strains and is used to facilitate the implementation of control and prevention measures. This study shows the development and evaluation of a 5'exonuclease real-time PCR assay for the rapid identification of Listeria seeligeri, Listeria welshimeri, L. monocytogenes, L. ivanovii, Listeria grayi and Listeria innocua. The assay consists of two triplexes that were evaluated using 53 cultures of Gram-positive bacteria, including 49 Listeria spp. from human, animal, food or food-processing environments. The assay was rapid, specific and reproducible and could identify each of the six species from a mixture of strains. The developed assay proved to be a powerful means of rapidly identifying Listeria species and could be usefully implemented in busy specialist reference laboratories. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The identification of species of Listeria from foods is important to monitor pathogenic strains and facilitates the implementation of control measures. This study shows the development and evaluation of a 5'exonuclease real-time PCR assay for the rapid identification of L. seeligeri, L. welshimeri, L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii, L. grayi, L. innocua. The developed assay proved to be specific, rapid and reproducible and therefore could be implemented in busy specialist reference laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Hage
- Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, Public Health England, London, UK
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Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of molecular typing methods for major food‐borne microbiological hazards and their use for attribution modelling, outbreak investigation and scanning surveillance: Part 1 (evaluation of methods and applications). EFSA J 2013. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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