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Meza-Bone GA, Meza Bone JS, Cedeño Á, Martín I, Martín A, Maddela NR, Córdoba JJ. Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in RTE Meat Products of Quevedo (Ecuador). Foods 2023; 12:2956. [PMID: 37569226 PMCID: PMC10418838 DOI: 10.3390/foods12152956] [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: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis and can be a problem in areas where meat products are sold at unregulated storage temperatures. In this work, the prevalence of L. monocytogenes was determined in the five most widely traded meat products in the province of Quevedo (Ecuador): bacon, "chorizo paisa", grilled hamburger meat, mortadella, and salami. A total of 1000 samples of these products were analyzed in two seasons of the year (dry season/rainy season). All L. monocytogenes isolates were confirmed by PCR with primers designed for the iap gene. Furthermore, the positive samples were quantified for L. monocytogenes. Of the 1000 meat products analyzed, 163 were positive for L. monocytogenes (16.3%). The prevalence of L. monocytogenes in the two seasons in different meat products was as follows: 22.5% in mortadella, 19% in hamburger meat, 15% in bacon, 14.5% in chorizo paisa and 10.5% in salami. In addition, the concentration of L. monocytogenes in most of the positive samples was in the range of 4-6 log CFU/g or even higher. The results show the need for improvements in the hygienic measures and meat storage temperatures in Quevedo (Ecuador) to avoid risks of foodborne listeriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Alex Meza-Bone
- Ruminology Laboratory, Faculty of Animal and Biological Sciences, State Technical University of Quevedo, Quevedo 120301, Ecuador;
| | | | - Ángel Cedeño
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Microbiology, Science and Technology Research Department, State Technical University of Quevedo, Quevedo 120301, Ecuador;
| | - Irene Martín
- Higiene y Seguridad Alimentaria, Instituto Universitario de Investigación de Carne y Productos Cárnicos (IProCar), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (I.M.); (J.J.C.)
| | - Alberto Martín
- Higiene y Seguridad Alimentaria, Instituto Universitario de Investigación de Carne y Productos Cárnicos (IProCar), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (I.M.); (J.J.C.)
| | - Naga Raju Maddela
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Technical University of Manabí, Portoviejo 130103, Ecuador;
| | - Juan J. Córdoba
- Higiene y Seguridad Alimentaria, Instituto Universitario de Investigación de Carne y Productos Cárnicos (IProCar), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (I.M.); (J.J.C.)
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Osimani A, Belleggia L, Botta C, Ferrocino I, Milanović V, Cardinali F, Haouet MN, Garofalo C, Mozzon M, Foligni R, Aquilanti L. Journey to the morpho-textural traits, microbiota, and volatilome of Ciauscolo PGI salami. FOOD BIOSCI 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2023.102582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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A Bukhari M, M Banasser T, El-Bali M, A Bulkhi R, A Qamash R, Trenganno A, Khayyat M, A Kurdi M, Al Majrashi A, Bahewareth F. Assessment of microbiological quality of food preparation process in some restaurants of Makkah city. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 28:5993-5997. [PMID: 34588916 PMCID: PMC8459123 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.06.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbiological contamination of food processing surfaces and utensils increases considerably the risk of food-borne illnesses via cross-contamination. Hence, the safety of served meals and beverages can be evaluated through the assessment of the microbiological quality of food contact surfaces in food-serving establishments. This study carried out in Makkah city aimed to assess the microbiological contamination levels on food processing surfaces and utensils in 43 restaurants from the 9 main districts in the city. A total of 294 swab preparations were taken from 16 types of food contact surfaces including cutting boards, food containers, knives, serving dishes and other utensils were examined. Ninety samples (31%) showed more than 10 CFU/cm2 which were considered positive for microbiological contamination. Meat chopping devices and cutting boards were found as the most contaminated food contact surfaces (60% and 50%), while washed serving dishes and fridge handles were the least contaminated (21% and 18%). Microorganisms detected in the study were Klebsiella spp. (18.7%), Escherichia coli (17,7%), Staphylococcus aureus (4,4%), Pseudomonas spp. (1.7%), Proteus spp. (0.7%), Bacillus cereus (0.7%), and Candida sp. (0.3%). Klebsiella spp. and E. coli were observed in at least one sample from each of the sixteen different food contact surfaces. The incidence of restaurants with contaminated food contact surfaces was significantly variable among the different districts, with a value as high as 57% in the most affected district and 20% in the less affected. No contamination with Salmonella spp. or Listeria spp. was detected, however, the detection of Bacillus cereus, a toxin-forming microorganism, in two different restaurants underlines the need for continuous microbiological assessment to ensure standard sanitation levels in restaurants and catering establishments of Makkah city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamdouh A Bukhari
- Regional Laboratory of Makkah, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Talib M Banasser
- Regional Laboratory of Makkah, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed El-Bali
- Faculty of Medicine, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rasha A Bulkhi
- Regional Laboratory of Makkah, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Razaz A Qamash
- Regional Laboratory of Makkah, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal Trenganno
- Regional Laboratory of Makkah, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maher Khayyat
- Regional Laboratory of Makkah, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A Kurdi
- Regional Laboratory of Makkah, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Al Majrashi
- Regional Laboratory of Makkah, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fayez Bahewareth
- King Faisal Hospital, Makkah, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
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Meloni D. High-Hydrostatic-Pressure (HHP) Processing Technology as a Novel Control Method for Listeria monocytogenes Occurrence in Mediterranean-Style Dry-Fermented Sausages. Foods 2019; 8:E672. [PMID: 31842401 PMCID: PMC6963505 DOI: 10.3390/foods8120672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Although conventional microbial control techniques are currently employed and largely successful, their major drawbacks are related to their effects on quality of processed food. In recent years, there has been a growing demand for high-quality foods that are microbially safe and retain most of their natural freshness. Therefore, several modern and innovative methods of microbial control in food processing have been developed. High-hydrostatic-pressure (HHP) processing technology has been mainly used to enhance the food safety of ready-to-eat (RTE) products as a new pre-/post-packaging, non-thermal purification method in the meat industry. Listeria monocytogenes is a pertinent target for microbiological safety and shelf-life; due to its capacity to multiply in a broad range of food environments, is extremely complicated to prevent in fermented-sausage-producing plants. The frequent detection of L. monocytogenes in final products emphasizes the necessity for the producers of fermented sausages to correctly overcome the hurdles of the technological process and to prevent the presence of L. monocytogenes by applying novel control techniques. This review discusses a collection of recent studies describing pressure-induced elimination of L. monocytogenes in fermented sausages produced in the Mediterranean area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Meloni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Impact of Lactobacillus curvatus 54M16 on microbiota composition and growth of Listeria monocytogenes in fermented sausages. Food Microbiol 2017; 72:1-15. [PMID: 29407386 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Lactobacillus curvatus 54M16 produced bacteriocins sak X, sak Tα, sak Tβ and sak P. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-listerial activity of the bacteriocins-producing strain against Listeria monocytogenes in vitro co-culture experiments and during the manufacture of fermented sausages. In MRS broth, Lb. curvatus 54M16 was able to inhibit L. monocytogenes to undetectable levels after 48 h at 20 °C or 5 days at 15 °C. Anti-listerial activity was lower during the production of fermented sausages with pathogen inoculation at levels of approximately 4 Log CFU g-1. However, total inhibition of L. monocytogenes native to the raw ingredients was achieved over the course of the fermentation. Moreover, 16S rRNA-based analysis revealed the ability of Lb. curvatus 54M16 to dominate and affect the bacterial ecosystem, whereas spoilage-associated bacterial genera, such as Brochothrix, Psychrobacter, Pseudomonas and some Enterobacteriaceae, were found until the end of ripening in sausages without Lb. curvatus 54M16. The use of the bacteriocins-producing Lb. curvatus 54M16 in fermented sausages could be an important contribution to product safety, provided that eco-physiological factors and other preservation methods are maintained at levels required for the inhibition of pathogens in controlled conditions.
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Kim NH, Cho TJ, Rhee MS. Sodium Chloride Does Not Ensure Microbiological Safety of Foods: Cases and Solutions. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2017; 101:1-47. [PMID: 29050664 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Addition of salt or salt-containing water to food is one of the oldest and most effective preservation methods in history; indeed, salt-cured foods are generally recognized as microbiologically safe due to their high salinity. However, a number of microbiological risks remain. The microbiological hazards and risks associated with salt-cured foods must be addressed more in-depth as they are likely to be underestimated by previous studies. This review examined a number of scientific reports and articles about the microbiological safety of salt-cured foods, which included salted, brined, pickled, and/or marinated vegetables, meat, and seafood. The following subjects are covered in order: (1) clinical cases and outbreaks attributed to salt-cured foods; (2) the prevalence of foodborne pathogens in such foods; (3) the molecular, physiological, and virulent responses of the pathogens to the presence of NaCl in both laboratory media and food matrices; (4) the survival and fate of microorganisms in salt-cured foods (in the presence/absence of additional processes); and (5) the interaction between NaCl and other stressors in food processes (e.g., acidification, antimicrobials, drying, and heating). The review provides a comprehensive overview of potentially hazardous pathogens associated with salt-cured foods and suggests further research into effective intervention techniques that will reduce their levels in the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam Hee Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Jin Cho
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Suk Rhee
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Trends in the microbial contamination of bovine, ovine and swine carcasses in three small-scale abattoirs in central Italy: A four-year monitoring. Meat Sci 2016; 111:53-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2015.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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8
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Nyarko EB, Donnelly CW. Listeria monocytogenes: Strain Heterogeneity, Methods, and Challenges of Subtyping. J Food Sci 2015; 80:M2868-78. [PMID: 26588067 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.13133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne bacterial pathogen that is associated with 20% to 30% case fatality rate. L. monocytogenes is a genetically heterogeneous species, with a small fraction of strains (serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, 4b) implicated in human listeriosis. Monitoring and source tracking of L. monocytogenes involve the use of subtyping methods, with the performance of genetic-based methods found to be superior to phenotypic-based ones. Various methods have been used to subtype L. monocytogenes isolates, with the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) being the gold standard. Although PFGE has had a massive impact on food safety through the establishment of the PulseNet, there is no doubt that whole genome sequence (WGS) typing is accurate, has a discriminatory power superior to any known method, and allows genome-wide differences between strains to be quantified through the comparison of nucleotide sequences. This review focuses on the different techniques that have been used to type L. monocytogenes strains, their performance challenges, and the tremendous impact WGS typing could have on the food safety landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmond B Nyarko
- Dept. of Animal and Food Science, Univ. of Delaware, 044 Townsend Hall, 531 S. College Avenue, Newark, Del., 19716, U.S.A
| | - Catherine W Donnelly
- Dept. of Nutrition and Food Science, Univ. of Vermont, 109 Carrigan Drive, 256 Carrigan Wing, Burlington, Vt., 05405, U.S.A
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de Souza Barbosa M, Todorov SD, Ivanova I, Chobert JM, Haertlé T, de Melo Franco BDG. Improving safety of salami by application of bacteriocins produced by an autochthonous Lactobacillus curvatus isolate. Food Microbiol 2015; 46:254-262. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2014.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 07/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Bioluminescence ATP monitoring for the routine assessment of food contact surface cleanliness in a university canteen. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:10824-37. [PMID: 25329534 PMCID: PMC4211008 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph111010824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Revised: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
ATP bioluminescence monitoring and traditional microbiological analyses (viable counting of total mesophilic aerobes, coliforms and Escherichia coli) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) at a university canteen which uses a HACCP-based approach. To that end, 10 cleaning control points (CPs), including food contact surfaces at risk of contamination from product residues or microbial growth, were analysed during an 8-month monitoring period. Arbitrary acceptability limits were set for both microbial loads and ATP bioluminescence readings. A highly significant correlation (r = 0.99) between the means of ATP bioluminescence readings and the viable counts of total mesophilic aerobes was seen, thus revealing a strong association of these parameters with the level of surface contamination. Among CPs, the raw meat and multi-purpose chopping boards showed the highest criticalities. Although ATP bioluminescence technology cannot substitute traditional microbiological analyses for the determination of microbial load on food contact surfaces, it has proved to be a powerful tool for the real time monitoring of surface cleanliness at mass catering plants, for verify the correct application of SSOP, and hence for their implementation/revision in the case of poor hygiene.
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Osimani A, Aquilanti L, Tavoletti S, Clementi F. Microbiological monitoring of air quality in a university canteen: an 11-year report. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2013; 185:4765-4774. [PMID: 23054270 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-012-2903-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2011] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, an increased tendency to consume meals at dining facilities outside the home has been highlighted; moreover, meals supplied in food businesses have been involved in many foodborne disease outbreaks. Therefore, microbial air contamination in food processing facilities could be a concern and an increase of microbial loads could represent a risk factor, especially for the potential contamination of foods due to undesirable spoiling and pathogenic bacteria. In this paper, the results of an 11-year microbiological monitoring of air quality in a university canteen are reported. The study, which started in the year 2000, was performed within a hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) plan implementation of a canteen that produces about 1,000 meals a day in order to verify the effectiveness of corrective actions on the indoor air quality. The primary food preparation room, the kitchen, and three cold rooms underwent air sampling by using a calibrated impaction sampler. Our investigation detected a general and progressive improvement in the air quality of the canteen since the beginning of the study, thus suggesting the appropriateness of the corrective action undertaken during the HACCP implementation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Osimani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
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Osimani A, Aquilanti L, Tavoletti S, Clementi F. Evaluation of the HACCP system in a university canteen: microbiological monitoring and internal auditing as verification tools. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2013; 10:1572-85. [PMID: 23594937 PMCID: PMC3709335 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10041572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 04/03/2013] [Accepted: 04/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Food safety is essential in mass catering. In Europe, Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 requires food business operators to put in place, implement and maintain permanent procedures based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles. Each HACCP plan is specifically implemented for the processing plant and processing methods and requires a systematic collection of data on the incidence, elimination, prevention, and reduction of risks. In this five-year-study, the effectiveness of the HACCP plan of a University canteen was verified through periodic internal auditing and microbiological monitoring of meals, small equipment, cooking tools, working surfaces, as well as hands and white coats of the canteen staff. The data obtained revealed no safety risks for the consumers, since Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were never detected; however, a quite discontinuous microbiological quality of meals was revealed. The fluctuations in the microbial loads of mesophilic aerobes, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and sulphite-reducing clostridia were mainly ascribed to inadequate handling or processing procedures, thus suggesting the need for an enhancement of staff training activities and for a reorganization of tasks. Due to the wide variety of the fields covered by internal auditing, the full conformance to all the requirements was never achieved, though high scores, determined by assigning one point to each answer which matched with the requirements, were achieved in all the years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Osimani
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, via Brecce Bianche, Ancona 60131, Italy.
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Petruzzelli A, Foglini M, Paolini F, Framboas M, Serena Altissimi M, Naceur Haouet M, Mangili P, Osimani A, Clementi F, Cenci T, Tonucci F. Evaluation of the quality of foods for special diets produced in a school catering facility within a HACCP-based approach: a case study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2013; 24:73-81. [PMID: 23544419 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2013.782605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A study was carried out to verify the appropriateness of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan adopted in a school catering facility. To that end, the microbiological quality of foods, the correct implementation of special diets (lactose- and gluten-free) and the nutritional value of foods were assessed. Thirty-six samples of lactose-free and 87 samples of gluten-free special diet food preparations were subjected to microbiological, chemical, and nutritional analyses. The data collected demonstrate the effectiveness of the HACCP plan in reducing the occurrence of microbial and chemical (lactose and gluten) cross-contamination. The data obtained from the nutritional analyses showed that the dietary intake provided by the meals under study was satisfactory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Petruzzelli
- a Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche , Pesaro , Italy
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UEDA SHIGEKO, IWASE MIKI, KUWABARA YOSHIHIRO. Evaluation of Immunochromatography for the Rapid and Specific Identification of Listeria monocytogenes from Food. Biocontrol Sci 2013; 18:157-61. [DOI: 10.4265/bio.18.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Real-time PCR assay to differentiate Listeriolysin S-positive and -negative strains of Listeria monocytogenes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 77:163-71. [PMID: 21075895 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01673-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the severity of the food-borne infection listeriosis, strict legislation governs the detectable and permissible limits at which Listeria monocytogenes is permitted in foods. These requirements, coupled with the ubiquitous nature of L. monocytogenes strains and the potential for epidemic outbreaks, mean that the pathogen can devastate affected sectors of the food industry. Although almost all L. monocytogenes strains have the potential to cause listeriosis, those implicated in the vast majority of epidemics belong to a subset of strains belonging to evolutionary lineage I. It has been established that a significant proportion of these strains, including those implicated in the majority of outbreaks, produce an additional hemolysin, designated listeriolysin S (LLS), which may be responsible for the enhanced virulence of these strains. In order to ultimately establish this definitively, it is important to first be able to rapidly discriminate between LLS-positive and -negative strains. Here, after essential genes within the LLS-encoding cluster, Listeria pathogenicity island 3, were identified by deletion mutagenesis, a real-time PCR assay which targets one such gene, llsX, was developed as a means of identifying LLS-positive L. monocytogenes. The specificity of the assay was validated against a panel of 40 L. monocytogenes strains (20 of which were LLS positive) and 25 strains representative of other Listeria species. Furthermore, 1 CFU of an LLS-positive strain per 25 g/ml of spiked foods was detected in less than 30 h when the assay was coupled with culture enrichment. The detection limit of this assay was 10 genome equivalents.
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