1
|
Bonardi S, Conter M, Andriani L, Bacci C, Magagna G, Rega M, Lamperti L, Loiudice C, Pierantoni M, Filipello V. Emerging of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O177:H11 and O177:H25 from cattle at slaughter in Italy. Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 423:110846. [PMID: 39079448 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2024.110846] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024]
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are zoonotic pathogens frequently carried by cattle, responsible in humans of mild to bloody diarrhoea, haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and even death. In 2023-2024, a study on STEC contamination of hide and carcasses of dairy cattle at slaughter was planned in Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy). When the study was still in progress and 60 animals were sampled, the detection of STEC O177 isolates reached high rates and gained our attention. A total of five O177 STEC strains were detected, namely four from three carcasses (5.0 %) and one from a hide sample (1.7 %). The isolates were typed by WGS as following: 1) STEC O177:H11 sequence type (ST) 765 (stx2a+, eae+), detected from one carcass; 2) STEC O177:H25 ST659 (stx2c+, eae+) detected from three carcasses and one hide sample. One carcass was contaminated by both STEC serotypes. The isolates carried other virulence determinants often found in STEC strains associated with HUS, namely the exha, astA and espP genes, together with genes for adhesion to the epithelial cells of the gut (lpfA, fdeC, fimH) and non-Locus for Enterocyte Effacement (LEE) effector protein genes (nleA, nleB). The STEC O177:H11 isolate harboured antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes to β-lactams (blaTEM-1A), aminoglycosides (aadA1, aph(3″)-Ib, aph(6)-Id), trimethoprim (dfrA1), sulphonamides (sul1, sul2), tetracyclines (tetA), (tetB), streptothricin (sat2), and quaternary ammonium compounds (qacEdelta1). On the contrary, the STEC O177:H25 isolates carried no AMR genes. Persistent carriage of STEC O177:H25 ST659 (stx2c+, eae+) at farm level was assessed by testing animals of the same herd sent to slaughter. Interestingly, the colonies of STEC O177:H11 and STEC O177:H25 had different morphology on CHROMagar™ STEC plates, being mauve and colourless, respectively. Since mauve is the colour STEC colonies commonly have on the CHROMagar™ STEC medium, our findings can help microbiologists in the selection of uncommon serotypes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detection of STEC O177 from carcasses and hides of dairy cattle at slaughter. Noteworthy, the STEC-positive hide was classified as "very dirty" thus stressing the need of clean animals entering the slaughter chain, as required by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004. Since STEC O177 has been responsible of HUS in Europe, our data could add information on the source of uncommon serogroups in human infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bonardi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Mauro Conter
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Andriani
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Cristina Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Giulia Magagna
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Martina Rega
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Lamperti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Loiudice
- National Veterinary Service, Via Vasari 13/A, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Pierantoni
- National Veterinary Service, Via Vasari 13/A, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Symeonidou I, Sioutas G, Lazou T, Gelasakis AI, Papadopoulos E. A Review of Toxoplasma gondii in Animals in Greece: A FoodBorne Pathogen of Public Health Importance. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2530. [PMID: 37570337 PMCID: PMC10416908 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152530] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoon with a complex life cycle and the second most important foodborne pathogen in Europe. Surveillance of toxoplasmosis is based on national considerations since there are no mandatory controls along the food chain in the European Union, and underreporting of meat is still a problem in many countries like Greece. The current review provides an overview of T. gondii prevalence, associated risk factors, and surveillance in animals in Greece, focusing on the transmission role of meat and highlighting the control measures that should be adopted by consumers. Sows, wild boars, hares, equines, and cats had lower, while sheep and goats generally had higher seroprevalence than their respective pooled European and global values. Seroprevalence in chickens was similar between Greece and Europe, while there was high variation in cattle studies, with no data regarding dairy products. Though a comprehensive meat safety assurance system is the most effective approach to control the principal biological hazards associated with meat, such as T. gondii, the prerequisite risk categorisation of farms and abattoirs based on EFSA's proposed harmonised epidemiological indicators has not materialised as yet in Greece. Therefore, comprehensive control strategies are still required to ensure food safety and safeguard public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isaia Symeonidou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Georgios Sioutas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Thomai Lazou
- Laboratory of Hygiene of Foods of Animal Origin—Veterinary Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Athanasios I. Gelasakis
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece;
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.S.); (G.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ferri M, Blagojevic B, Maurer P, Hengl B, Guldimann C, Mojsova S, Sakaridis I, Antunovic B, Gomes-Neves E, Zdolec N, Vieira-Pinto M, Johler S. Risk based meat safety assurance system – An introduction to key concepts for future training of official veterinarians. Food Control 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
4
|
Beef abattoir interventions in a risk-based meat safety assurance system. Meat Sci 2021; 182:108622. [PMID: 34265543 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2021.108622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In risk-based meat safety assurance system, the use of interventions is intended to accomplish the meat safety targets on chilled carcasses, particularly in situations when an abattoir is unable to sufficiently reduce risks arising from specific farms/animal batches by using process hygiene alone. Furthermore, interventions are considered whenever food safety authorities identify meat production processes associated with high risks for consumers. This paper overviews the role of beef interventions in a risk-based, meat safety assurance system. Cattle hide interventions (chemical hide washes and microbial immobilisation treatment with shellac) and beef carcass interventions (pasteurisation treatments with hot water and/or steam and organic (lactic) acid washes), show consistent reduction effects of aerobic bacteria and faecal indicators and reduced prevalences of naturally present VTEC and Salmonella. The review also identified interventions where there was a lack of data and further research was needed, and other contextual factors to inform the risk management decisions for further development of risk-based meat safety assurance system.
Collapse
|
5
|
Blagojevic B, Nesbakken T, Alvseike O, Vågsholm I, Antic D, Johler S, Houf K, Meemken D, Nastasijevic I, Vieira Pinto M, Antunovic B, Georgiev M, Alban L. Drivers, opportunities, and challenges of the European risk-based meat safety assurance system. Food Control 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.107870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
6
|
Henry MK, McCann CM, Humphry RW, Morgan M, Willett A, Evans J, Gunn GJ, Tongue SC. The British E. coli O157 in cattle study (BECS): factors associated with the occurrence of E. coli O157 from contemporaneous cross-sectional surveys. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:444. [PMID: 31805948 PMCID: PMC6896709 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2188-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Escherichia coli O157 is a bacterial pathogen associated with severe disease in humans for which cattle are an important reservoir of infection. The identification of possible risk factors for infection in cattle could facilitate the development of control strategies and interventions to mitigate the risk to human health. The purpose of this study was to utilize data collected in 2014-2015 during the two contemporaneous cross-sectional surveys of the British E. coli O157 in Cattle Study (BECS) to investigate potential risk factors for E. coli O157 status in cattle destined for the food chain. RESULTS In the England & Wales survey only one variable, herd size, was associated with the outcome farm-level E. coli O157 positive status. The odds increased for each additional animal in the herd. In the Scotland survey, as well as a measure of herd size (the number of cattle aged 12-30 months), having brought breeding females on to the farm in the last year also increased the odds, whereas farms sampled in spring were less likely to be positive compared to those sampled in autumn. On the positive farms, in both surveys, an increase in the proportion of pats positive for E. coli O157 was associated with animals being housed at the time of sampling. However, the effect of housing on pat-level prevalence within positive groups was lower on farms from England & Wales than from Scotland (OR 0.45 (95% C.I. 0.24-0.86)). CONCLUSION For the first time, factors associated with farm-level E. coli O157 status have been investigated in two contemporaneous surveys with comparable study design. Although factors associated with farm-level E. coli O157 status differed between the two surveys, one consistent factor was an association with a measure of herd size. Factors associated with the proportion of E. coli O157 positive pats within a positive farm were similar in both surveys but differed from those associated with farm-level status. These findings raise the hypothesis that measures to protect public health by reducing the risk from cattle may need to be tailored, rather than by assuming that a GB-wide protocol is the best approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine K. Henry
- Epidemiology Research Unit (Inverness campus), Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG UK
| | - Catherine M. McCann
- Epidemiology Research Unit (Inverness campus), Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG UK
| | - Roger W. Humphry
- Epidemiology Research Unit (Inverness campus), Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG UK
| | - Mair Morgan
- RSK ADAS Ltd., Spring Lodge, 172 Chester Road, Helsby, Cheshire, WA6 0AR UK
| | - Alice Willett
- RSK ADAS Ltd., Spring Lodge, 172 Chester Road, Helsby, Cheshire, WA6 0AR UK
| | - Judith Evans
- Epidemiology Research Unit (Inverness campus), Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG UK
| | - George J. Gunn
- Epidemiology Research Unit (Inverness campus), Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG UK
| | - Sue C. Tongue
- Epidemiology Research Unit (Inverness campus), Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Laranjo-González M, Devleesschauwer B, Jansen F, Dorny P, Dupuy C, Requena-Méndez A, Allepuz A. Epidemiology and economic impact of bovine cysticercosis and taeniosis caused by Taenia saginata in northeastern Spain (Catalonia). Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:376. [PMID: 29954438 PMCID: PMC6027794 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2931-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Catalonia (north-eastern Spain), Taenia saginata has been described in cattle but its occurrence in humans is unclear. Moreover, whether cattle acquired the infection in Catalonia or outside Catalonia and its economic impact have not been investigated. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and spatial distribution of bovine cysticercosis in Catalonia (2008-2015), and the burden from T. saginata upon the animal and human sectors in Catalonia (2013-2015). METHODS Data on cattle diagnosed with cysticercosis at meat inspection were collected and analysed. Cattle movement history was used to identify the most likely place of bovine cysticercosis infection and to investigate its spatial distribution. Data on taeniosis treatment (niclosamide and praziquantel) costs and their supply in Catalonia as well as data on patients attending primary care with diagnosis of taeniosis were collected. The financial impact associated with T. saginata due to carcasses condemned and frozen, meat inspection and human taeniosis was estimated. RESULTS During 2008-2015, between 18 and 107 cattle were found positive for cysticercosis each year (prevalence at slaughter of 0.010%). Movement history was available for 44% of the infected cattle and in 53% of them Catalonia was identified as the place where the infection was acquired with highest probability. Two significant bovine cysticercosis clusters were detected. The number of patients diagnosed with taeniosis in primary care during the period 2013-2016 was 41-63/year. The overall economic impact of T. saginata (2013-2015) amounted to 154,903 €/year (95% CI: 113,075-196,762). Meat inspection accounted for 81.9% (95% CI: 75.8-86.2%) of the costs, followed by costs due to carcass condemnation and freezing (9.4%; 95% CI: 6.9-12.8%), and taeniosis-associated costs (8.7%; 95% CI: 6.7-11.6%). Costs due to freezing and condemnation of carcasses reached 19,442 €/year (95% CI: 17,528-21,391) (509 €/lightly infected carcass and 1,140 €/heavily infected carcass). Taeniosis-associated costs were estimated at 12,848.5 €/year (237 €/patient). CONCLUSIONS The public health risk of T. saginata in the area seems to be low. The economic impact due to T. saginata was mainly attributed to meat inspection. The cost due to carcass condemnation and freezing was limited compared to the revenue of the beef sector. Developing and implementing risk-based surveillance is needed to lower the costs of meat inspection. Considering cattle movements might be useful in the development of such a strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minerva Laranjo-González
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Brecht Devleesschauwer
- Department of Public Health and Surveillance, Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Famke Jansen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 155 Nationalestraat, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 133 Salisburylaan, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 155 Nationalestraat, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 133 Salisburylaan, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Céline Dupuy
- General Directorate for Food, Slaughterhouses and Cutting Plants Board, 69401 Lyon, France
| | - Ana Requena-Méndez
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Allepuz
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
The number of South American camelids (SACs) in England and Wales is increasing and with this comes a risk of new and emerging infections. Although classified as livestock, these animals are also treated as pets and may be in regular contact with humans. This paper reviews zoonotic diseases that have been identified in SACs in England and Wales, and which pose a potential risk to human health. We also highlight the importance of surveillance continuing to capture information on infections in SACs for the protection of both public and animal health.
Collapse
|
9
|
|
10
|
Hill A, Horigan V, Clarke K, Dewé T, Stärk K, O'Brien S, Buncic S. A qualitative risk assessment for visual-only post-mortem meat inspection of cattle, sheep, goats and farmed/wild deer. Food Control 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2013.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
11
|
Technical specifications on harmonised epidemiological indicators for biological hazards to be covered by meat inspection of domestic sheep and goats. EFSA J 2013. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
|
12
|
Scientific Opinion on the public health hazards to be covered by inspection of meat (bovine animals). EFSA J 2013. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
|