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Yeom J, Bae D, Kim SA. Microbial dynamics of South Korean beef and surroundings along the supply chain based on high-throughput sequencing. Meat Sci 2024; 214:109520. [PMID: 38703561 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2024.109520] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Microbiological safety and quality of beef is crucial as beef can serve as a reservoir for a variety of bacteria, including spoilage-related and foodborne pathogens. Controlling microbial contamination is a critical aspect of food quality and safety, but it is difficult to prevent as there are several potential sources of contamination from production to distribution. In this study, the microbiological ecology of cattle/beef and associated environmental samples (n = 69) were trace-investigated to reveal microbiome shifts in cattle/beef and possible cross-contaminants throughout the entire supply chain using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Pseudomonas, Psychrobacter, and Acinetobacter, known as spoilage bacteria, opportunistic pathogens, or antibiotic-resistant bacteria, were the main microorganisms present in cattle/beef, and Staphylococcus became abundant in the final products. The dominance of Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas was noticeable in the slaughtered carcasses and slaughterhouse environment, indicating that the slaughterhouse is a critical site where hygienic practices are required to prevent further contamination. Taxonomic similarities between cattle/beef and several environmental samples, as well as diversity analysis, presented a high potential for microbial transmission. Source tracking identified environmental samples that primarily contributed to the microbiota of cattle/beef. Farm floor (48%), workers' gloves (73%), and carcass splitters (20%) in the slaughterhouse were found to be major sources influencing the microbiome of cattle/beef at the farm, slaughterhouse, and processing plant, respectively. These findings demonstrated the dynamics of bacterial communities in cattle/beef according to stage and detected potential contamination sources, which may aid in a better understanding and control of microbial transmission in beef production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongyeon Yeom
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dongryeoul Bae
- Division of Research and Development, TracoWorld Ltd., Gwangmyeong, South Korea
| | - Sun Ae Kim
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.
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2
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Wang X, Yu D, Chui L, Zhou T, Feng Y, Cao Y, Zhi S. A Comprehensive Review on Shiga Toxin Subtypes and Their Niche-Related Distribution Characteristics in Shiga-Toxin-Producing E. coli and Other Bacterial Hosts. Microorganisms 2024; 12:687. [PMID: 38674631 PMCID: PMC11052178 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin (Stx), the main virulence factor of Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), was first discovered in Shigella dysenteriae strains. While several other bacterial species have since been reported to produce Stx, STEC poses the most significant risk to human health due to its widespread prevalence across various animal hosts that have close contact with human populations. Based on its biochemical and molecular characteristics, Shiga toxin can be grouped into two types, Stx1 and Stx2, among which a variety of variants and subtypes have been identified in various bacteria and host species. Interestingly, the different Stx subtypes appear to vary in their host distribution characteristics and in the severity of diseases that they are associated with. As such, this review provides a comprehensive overview on the bacterial species that have been recorded to possess stx genes to date, with a specific focus on the various Stx subtype variants discovered in STEC, their prevalence in certain host species, and their disease-related characteristics. This review provides a better understanding of the Stx subtypes and highlights the need for rapid and accurate approaches to toxin subtyping for the proper evaluation of the health risks associated with Shiga-toxin-related bacterial food contamination and human infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- School of Public Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (X.W.); (T.Z.); (Y.F.)
| | - Daniel Yu
- School of Public Health, Univeristy of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Linda Chui
- Alberta Precision Laboratories-ProvLab, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, Canada;
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Tiantian Zhou
- School of Public Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (X.W.); (T.Z.); (Y.F.)
| | - Yu Feng
- School of Public Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (X.W.); (T.Z.); (Y.F.)
| | - Yuhao Cao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China;
| | - Shuai Zhi
- School of Public Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, China; (X.W.); (T.Z.); (Y.F.)
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Hong S, Moon JS, Yoon SS, Kim HY, Lee YJ. Levels of Indicator Bacteria and Characteristics of Foodborne Pathogens from Carcasses of Cattle Slaughterhouses in Korea. J Food Prot 2024; 87:100220. [PMID: 38215980 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100220] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
The initial microbial contamination of carcasses during slaughtering adversely affects spoilage and shelf life and is of global concern for food safety and meat quality. This study evaluated the hygiene and quality using the prevalence of foodborne pathogens and the level of indicator bacteria on 200 carcasses, collecting 10 from each of 20 cattle slaughterhouses in Korea. The distribution of aerobic bacterial count in carcasses was significantly highest at 2.0-3.0 log10 CFU/cm2 (34.1%), whereas the Escherichia coli count was significantly highest at under 1.0 log10 CFU/cm2 (94.0%) (P < 0.05). Clostridium perfringens was most prevalent (60.0% of slaughterhouses; 17.5% of carcasses), followed by Yersinia enterocolitica (30.0% of slaughterhouses; 6.5% of carcasses), Staphylococcus aureus (15.0% of slaughterhouses; 4.0% of carcasses), Listeria monocytogenes 1/2a (5.0% of slaughterhouses; 1.0% of carcasses), Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Infantis (5.0% of slaughterhouses; 1.0% of carcasses), and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O:66 (5.0% of slaughterhouses; 0.5% of carcasses). Although 28 C. perfringens isolates from 11 slaughterhouses were divided into 21 pulsotypes, all isolates showed the same toxinotype as type A and only carried the cpa. Interestingly, 83.3% of isolates from two slaughterhouses located in the same province showed resistance to tetracycline. Furthermore, 13 Y. enterocolitica isolates from six slaughterhouses were divided into seven pulsotypes that were divided into biotypes 1A and 2 and serotypes O:5 and O:8, except for isolates that could not be typed. Twelve (92.3%) isolates only carried ystB, but one (7.7%) isolate carried ail and ystA. Moreover, 46.2% of Y. enterocolitica isolates showed multidrug resistance against ampicillin, cefoxitin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. This study supports the need for continuous monitoring of slaughterhouses and hygiene management to improve the microbiological safety of carcasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serim Hong
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute for Veterinary Biomedical Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-San Moon
- Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Seek Yoon
- Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Young Kim
- Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young Ju Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute for Veterinary Biomedical Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
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Blankenship HM, Dietrich SE, Burgess E, Wholehan J, Soehnlen M, Manning SD. Whole-Genome Sequencing of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli for Characterization and Outbreak Investigation. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1298. [PMID: 37317272 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes high frequencies of foodborne infections worldwide and has been linked to numerous outbreaks each year. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) has been the gold standard for surveillance until the recent transition to whole-genome sequencing (WGS). To further understand the genetic diversity and relatedness of outbreak isolates, a retrospective analysis of 510 clinical STEC isolates was conducted. Among the 34 STEC serogroups represented, most (59.6%) belonged to the predominant six non-O157 serogroups. Core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis differentiated clusters of isolates with similar PFGE patterns and multilocus sequence types (STs). One serogroup O26 outbreak strain and another non-typeable (NT) strain, for instance, were identical by PFGE and clustered together by MLST; however, both were distantly related in the SNP analysis. In contrast, six outbreak-associated serogroup O5 strains clustered with five ST-175 serogroup O5 isolates, which were not part of the same outbreak as determined by PFGE. The use of high-quality SNP analyses enhanced the discrimination of these O5 outbreak strains into a single cluster. In all, this study demonstrates how public health laboratories can more rapidly use WGS and phylogenetics to identify related strains during outbreak investigations while simultaneously uncovering important genetic attributes that can inform treatment practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M Blankenship
- Bureau of Laboratories, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Stephen E Dietrich
- Bureau of Laboratories, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Elizabeth Burgess
- Bureau of Laboratories, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Jason Wholehan
- Bureau of Laboratories, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Marty Soehnlen
- Bureau of Laboratories, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Shannon D Manning
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Sterilizing effect of phage cocktail against Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in foods. FOOD BIOSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2022.102282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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Ray R, Singh P. Prevalence and Implications of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli in Farm and Wild Ruminants. Pathogens 2022; 11:1332. [PMID: 36422584 PMCID: PMC9694250 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a food-borne pathogen that causes human gastrointestinal infections across the globe, leading to kidney failure or even death in severe cases. E. coli are commensal members of humans and animals' (cattle, bison, and pigs) guts, however, may acquire Shiga-toxin-encoded phages. This acquisition or colonization by STEC may lead to dysbiosis in the intestinal microbial community of the host. Wildlife and livestock animals can be asymptomatically colonized by STEC, leading to pathogen shedding and transmission. Furthermore, there has been a steady uptick in new STEC variants representing various serotypes. These, along with hybrids of other pathogenic E. coli (UPEC and ExPEC), are of serious concern, especially when they possess enhanced antimicrobial resistance, biofilm formation, etc. Recent studies have reported these in the livestock and food industry with minimal focus on wildlife. Disturbed natural habitats and changing climates are increasingly creating wildlife reservoirs of these pathogens, leading to a rise in zoonotic infections. Therefore, this review comprehensively surveyed studies on STEC prevalence in livestock and wildlife hosts. We further present important microbial and environmental factors contributing to STEC spread as well as infections. Finally, we delve into potential strategies for limiting STEC shedding and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pallavi Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL 60115, USA
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Escherichia coli 0157:H7 virulence factors and the ruminant reservoir. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2022; 35:205-214. [PMID: 35665714 PMCID: PMC9302714 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review updates recent findings about Escherichia coli O157:H7 virulence factors and its bovine reservoir. This Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing E. coli belongs to the Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) pathotype causing hemorrhagic colitis. Its low infectious dose makes it an efficient, severe, foodborne pathogen. Although EHEC remains in the intestine, Stx can translocate systemically and is cytotoxic to microvascular endothelial cells, especially in the kidney and brain. Disease can progress to life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) with hemolytic anemia, acute kidney failure, and thrombocytopenia. Young children, the immunocompromised, and the elderly are at the highest risk for HUS. Healthy ruminants are the major reservoir of EHEC and cattle are the primary source of human exposure. RECENT FINDINGS Advances in understanding E. coli O157:H7 pathogenesis include molecular mechanisms of virulence, bacterial adherence, type three secretion effectors, intestinal microbiome, inflammation, and reservoir maintenance. SUMMARY Many aspects of E. coli O157:H7 disease remain unclear and include the role of the human and bovine intestinal microbiomes in infection. Therapeutic strategies involve controlling inflammatory responses and/or intestinal barrier function. Finally, elimination/reduction of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle using CRISPR-engineered conjugative bacterial plasmids and/or on-farm management likely hold solutions to reduce infections and increase food safety/security.
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Vasco K, Nohomovich B, Singh P, Venegas-Vargas C, Mosci RE, Rust S, Bartlett P, Norby B, Grooms D, Zhang L, Manning SD. Characterizing the Cattle Gut Microbiome in Farms with a High and Low Prevalence of Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia coli. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081737. [PMID: 34442815 PMCID: PMC8399351 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle are the main reservoirs of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC), a major foodborne pathogen associated with acute enteric disease and hemolytic-uremic syndrome in humans. A total of 397 beef and dairy cattle from 5 farms were included in this study, of which 660 samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The microbiota of farms with a high-STEC prevalence (HSP) had greater richness compared to those of farms with a low-STEC prevalence (LSP). Longitudinal analyses showed STEC-shedders from LSP farms had higher microbiome diversity; meanwhile, changes in the microbiome composition in HSP farms were independent of the STEC shedding status. Most of the bacterial genera associated with STEC shedding in dairy farms were also correlated with differences in the percentage of forage in diet and risk factors of STEC carriage such as days in milk, number of lactations, and warm temperatures. Identifying factors that alter the gut microbiota and enable STEC colonization in livestock could lead to novel strategies to prevent fecal shedding and the subsequent transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Vasco
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.V.); (B.N.); (P.S.); (R.E.M.); (L.Z.)
| | - Brian Nohomovich
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.V.); (B.N.); (P.S.); (R.E.M.); (L.Z.)
| | - Pallavi Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.V.); (B.N.); (P.S.); (R.E.M.); (L.Z.)
| | - Cristina Venegas-Vargas
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.V.-V.); (P.B.); (B.N.); (D.G.)
| | - Rebekah E. Mosci
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.V.); (B.N.); (P.S.); (R.E.M.); (L.Z.)
| | - Steven Rust
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - Paul Bartlett
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.V.-V.); (P.B.); (B.N.); (D.G.)
| | - Bo Norby
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.V.-V.); (P.B.); (B.N.); (D.G.)
| | - Daniel Grooms
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.V.-V.); (P.B.); (B.N.); (D.G.)
| | - Lixin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.V.); (B.N.); (P.S.); (R.E.M.); (L.Z.)
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Shannon D. Manning
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.V.); (B.N.); (P.S.); (R.E.M.); (L.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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Lin RC, Sacher JC, Ceyssens PJ, Zheng J, Khalid A, Iredell JR. Phage Biobank: Present Challenges and Future Perspectives. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 68:221-230. [PMID: 33581425 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
After a century of use in human infection, the preparation and administration of therapeutic bacteriophages (phages) still relies on ad hoc partnerships of researchers, biotech companies, clinicians and regulators. There is a clear need to improve the reproducibility, safety and speed of the provision of suitable phages. Here we discuss the specific characteristics and challenges of a sustainable phage biobank and, as we build a national consortium aimed at delivering phage therapeutics, suggest a roadmap toward national biobanking and phage therapy initiatives using the Australian context as a model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Cy Lin
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | - Pieter-Jan Ceyssens
- Antibiotics and Resistance Unit, The National Reference Centres for Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria, Neisseria and Mycobacteria, Sciensano, Belgium
| | - Jan Zheng
- Phage Directory, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
| | - Ali Khalid
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jonathan R Iredell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Westmead Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.
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