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Hanzelová Z, Dudriková E, Lovayová V, Výrostková J, Regecová I, Zigo F, Bartáková K. Occurrence of Enterococci in the Process of Artisanal Cheesemaking and Their Antimicrobial Resistance. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:890. [PMID: 39063643 PMCID: PMC11277685 DOI: 10.3390/life14070890] [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: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Enterococci are a group of microorganisms that have a controversial position from some scientific points of view. The species of the greatest clinical importance are E. faecalis and E. faecium, which are common agents of nosocomial infections. However, enterococci also have important applications in the dairy industry, as they are used as non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) in a variety of cheeses, especially artisanal cheeses. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of representatives from the Enterococcus genus using PCR and MALDI-TOF MS methods on samples of raw milk, processing environment swabs, and cheese from four different artisanal dairy plants in Slovakia. Among the 136 isolates of enterococci, 9 species of genus Enterococci (E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. durans, E. devriesi, E. hirae, E. italicus, E. casseliflavus, E. malodoratus, and E. gallinarum) were identified and were tested for their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to 8 antibiotics (amoxicillin, penicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, vancomycin, rifampicin, and tetracycline); most of them were resistant to rifampicin (35.3%), ampicillin (22.8%), and tetracycline (19.9%). A PCR analysis of vanA (4.41%) and tetM (14.71%) revealed that antimicrobial resistance genes were present in not only phenotypic resistant isolates of enterococci but also susceptible isolates. The investigation of antimicrobial resistance in enterococci during the cheesemaking process can be a source of valuable information for public health in the concept of "One Health".
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Hanzelová
- Department of Food Hygiene, Technology and Safety, The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia; (Z.H.); (J.V.); (I.R.)
| | - Eva Dudriková
- Department of Food Hygiene, Technology and Safety, The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia; (Z.H.); (J.V.); (I.R.)
| | - Viera Lovayová
- Department of Medical and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia;
| | - Jana Výrostková
- Department of Food Hygiene, Technology and Safety, The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia; (Z.H.); (J.V.); (I.R.)
| | - Ivana Regecová
- Department of Food Hygiene, Technology and Safety, The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia; (Z.H.); (J.V.); (I.R.)
| | - František Zigo
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Husbandry, The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Klára Bartáková
- Department of Animal Origin Food & Gastronomic Sciences, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic;
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Morandi S, Silvetti T, Lopreiato V, Piccioli-Cappelli F, Trevisi E, Brasca M. Biodiversity and antibiotic resistance profile provide new evidence for a different origin of enterococci in bovine raw milk and feces. Food Microbiol 2024; 120:104492. [PMID: 38431334 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2024.104492] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Enterococci are widely distributed in dairy sector. They are commensals of the gastrointestinal tract of animals, thus, via fecal contamination, could reach raw milk and dairy products. The aims of this study were: 1) to investigate the enterococcal diversity in cow feces and milk samples and 2) to evaluate the antibiotic resistance (AR) of dairy-related enterococci and their ability to transfer resistance genes. E. faecalis (59.9%), E. faecium (18.6%) and E. lactis (12.4%) were prevalent in milk, while E. faecium (84.2%) and E. hirae (15.0%) were dominant in bovine feces. RAPD-PCR highlighted a high number of Enterococcus biotypes (45 from milk and 37 from feces) and none of the milk strains exhibited genetic profiles similar to those of feces biotypes. A high percentage of enterococci isolated from milk (71%) were identified as multidrug resistant and resistance against streptomycin and tetracycline were widespread among milk strains while enterococci from feces were commonly resistant to linezolid and quinupristin/dalfopristin. Only E. faecalis strains were able to transfer horizontally the tetM gene to Lb. delbrueckii subsp. lactis. Our results indicated that Enterococcus biotypes from milk and bovine feces belong to different community and the ability of these microorganisms to transfer AR genes is strain-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Morandi
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), Italian National Research Council, Milan, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Silvetti
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), Italian National Research Council, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Lopreiato
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Palatucci 13, Messina, 98168, Italy
| | - Fiorenzo Piccioli-Cappelli
- Department of Animal Sciences, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Alimentari e Ambientali, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, 29122, Italy
| | - Erminio Trevisi
- Department of Animal Sciences, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Alimentari e Ambientali, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, 29122, Italy
| | - Milena Brasca
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), Italian National Research Council, Milan, Italy
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Alexa EA, Cobo-Díaz JF, Renes E, O Callaghan TF, Kilcawley K, Mannion D, Skibinska I, Ruiz L, Margolles A, Fernández-Gómez P, Alvarez-Molina A, Puente-Gómez P, Crispie F, López M, Prieto M, Cotter PD, Alvarez-Ordóñez A. The detailed analysis of the microbiome and resistome of artisanal blue-veined cheeses provides evidence on sources and patterns of succession linked with quality and safety traits. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:78. [PMID: 38678226 PMCID: PMC11055350 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01790-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artisanal cheeses usually contain a highly diverse microbial community which can significantly impact their quality and safety. Here, we describe a detailed longitudinal study assessing the impact of ripening in three natural caves on the microbiome and resistome succession across three different producers of Cabrales blue-veined cheese. RESULTS Both the producer and cave in which cheeses were ripened significantly influenced the cheese microbiome. Lactococcus and the former Lactobacillus genus, among other taxa, showed high abundance in cheeses at initial stages of ripening, either coming from the raw material, starter culture used, and/or the environment of processing plants. Along cheese ripening in caves, these taxa were displaced by other bacteria, such as Tetragenococcus, Corynebacterium, Brevibacterium, Yaniella, and Staphylococcus, predominantly originating from cave environments (mainly food contact surfaces), as demonstrated by source-tracking analysis, strain analysis at read level, and the characterization of 613 metagenome-assembled genomes. The high abundance of Tetragenococcus koreensis and Tetragenococcus halophilus detected in cheese has not been found previously in cheese metagenomes. Furthermore, Tetragenococcus showed a high level of horizontal gene transfer with other members of the cheese microbiome, mainly with Lactococcus and Staphylococcus, involving genes related to carbohydrate metabolism functions. The resistome analysis revealed that raw milk and the associated processing environments are a rich reservoir of antimicrobial resistance determinants, mainly associated with resistance to aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and β-lactam antibiotics and harbored by aerobic gram-negative bacteria of high relevance from a safety point of view, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Acinetobacter, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and that the displacement of most raw milk-associated taxa by cave-associated taxa during ripening gave rise to a significant decrease in the load of ARGs and, therefore, to a safer end product. CONCLUSION Overall, the cave environments represented an important source of non-starter microorganisms which may play a relevant role in the quality and safety of the end products. Among them, we have identified novel taxa and taxa not previously regarded as being dominant components of the cheese microbiome (Tetragenococcus spp.), providing very valuable information for the authentication of this protected designation of origin artisanal cheese. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena A Alexa
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - José F Cobo-Díaz
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Erica Renes
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Tom F O Callaghan
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, T12 Y337, Ireland
| | | | - David Mannion
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co., Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Lorena Ruiz
- Dairy Research Institute, Spanish National Research Council, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias-CSIC, Villaviciosa, Spain
- Functionality and Ecology of Beneficial Microbes (MicroHealth) Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Abelardo Margolles
- Dairy Research Institute, Spanish National Research Council, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias-CSIC, Villaviciosa, Spain
- Functionality and Ecology of Beneficial Microbes (MicroHealth) Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | | | | | - Paula Puente-Gómez
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Fiona Crispie
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co., Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mercedes López
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Miguel Prieto
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Paul D Cotter
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co., Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- VistaMilk, Cork, Ireland
| | - Avelino Alvarez-Ordóñez
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain.
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain.
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Vázquez L, Srednik ME, Rodríguez J, Flórez AB, Mayo B. Antibiotic Resistance/Susceptibility Profiles of Staphylococcus equorum Strains from Cheese, and Genome Analysis for Antibiotic Resistance Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11657. [PMID: 37511416 PMCID: PMC10380560 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411657] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In food, bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes could play a prominent role in the spread of resistance. Staphylococcus equorum populations can become large in a number of fermented foods, yet the antibiotic resistance properties of this species have been little studied. In this work, the resistance/susceptibility (R/S) profile of S. equorum strains (n = 30) from cheese to 16 antibiotics was determined by broth microdilution. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for all antibiotics was low in most strains, although higher MICs compatible with acquired genes were also noted. Genome analysis of 13 strains showed the S. equorum resistome to be composed of intrinsic mechanisms, acquired mutations, and acquired genes. As such, a plasmidic cat gene providing resistance to chloramphenicol was found in one strain; this was able to provide resistance to Staphylococcus aureus after electroporation. An msr(A) polymorphic gene was identified in five strains. The Mrs(A) variants were associated with variable resistance to erythromycin. However, the genetic data did not always correlate with the phenotype. As such, all strains harbored a polymorphic fosB/fosD gene, although only one acquired copy was associated with strong resistance to fosfomycin. Similarly, a plasmid-associated blaR1-blaZI operon encoding a penicillinase system was identified in five ampicillin- and penicillin G-susceptible strains. Identified genes not associated with phenotypic resistance further included mph(C) in two strains and norA in all strains. The antibiotic R/S status and gene content of S. equorum strains intended to be employed in food systems should be carefully determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Vázquez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Bioquímica, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n, 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mariela E Srednik
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Javier Rodríguez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Bioquímica, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n, 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Flórez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Bioquímica, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n, 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Baltasar Mayo
- Departamento de Microbiología y Bioquímica, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n, 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
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Obioha PI, Anyogu A, Awamaria B, Ghoddusi HB, Ouoba LII. Antimicrobial Resistance of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Nono, a Naturally Fermented Milk Product. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12050843. [PMID: 37237746 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12050843] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to public health. The food chain has been recognised as a vehicle for transmitting AMR bacteria. However, information about resistant strains isolated from African traditional fermented foods remains limited. Nono is a traditional, naturally fermented milk product consumed by many pastoral communities across West Africa. The main aim of this study was to investigate and determine the AMR patterns of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) involved in the traditional fermentation of milk for Nono production, and the presence of transferable AMR determinants. METHODS One hundred (100) LAB isolates from Nono identified in a previous study as Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Streptococcus thermophilus, Streptococcus infantarius, Lentilactobacillus senioris, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteriodes, and Enterococcus thailandicus were investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for 18 antimicrobials using the micro-broth dilution method. In addition, LAB isolates were screened for 28 antimicrobial resistance genes using PCR. The ability of LAB isolates to transfer tetracycline and streptomycin resistance genes to Enterococcus faecalis was also investigated. RESULTS The experiments revealed variable antimicrobial susceptibility according to the LAB isolate and the antimicrobial tested. The tetracycline resistance genes tet(S) and tet(M) were detected in isolates Ent. thailandicus 52 and S. infantarius 10. Additionally, aad(E) encoding resistance to streptomycin was detected in Ent. thailandicus 52. The conjugation experiments suggested that the tet(S) and aad(E) genes were transferable in vitro from isolate Ent. thailandicus 52 to Ent. faecalis JH2-2. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT Traditional fermented foods play a significant role in the diet of millions of people in Africa, yet their contribution to the burden of AMR is largely unknown. This study highlights that LAB involved in traditionally fermented foods could be potential reservoirs of AMR. It also underscores the relevant safety issues of Ent. thailandicus 52 and S. infantarius 10 for use as starter cultures as they carry transferable AMR genes. Starter cultures are an essential aspect of improving the safety and quality attributes of African fermented foods. However, AMR monitoring is an important safety aspect in the selection of starter cultures for improving traditional fermentation technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Promiselynda I Obioha
- Microbiology Research Unit, School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB, UK
| | - Amarachukwu Anyogu
- Food Safety and Security, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of West London, St. Marys Road, London W5 5RF, UK
| | - Brigitte Awamaria
- Microbiology Research Unit, School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB, UK
| | - Hamid B Ghoddusi
- Microbiology Research Unit, School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB, UK
| | - Labia Irene I Ouoba
- Microbiology Research Unit, School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB, UK
- Independent Senior Research Scientist & Consultant, Ouoba-Consulting, London SW16 2DY, UK
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Phenotypic and Safety Assessment of the Cheese Strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LL441, and Sequence Analysis of its Complete Genome and Plasmidome. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010605. [PMID: 36614048 PMCID: PMC9820265 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This work describes the phenotypic typing and complete genome analysis of LL441, a dairy Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain. LL441 utilized a large range of carbohydrates and showed strong activity of some carbohydrate-degrading enzymes. The strain grew slowly in milk and produced acids and ketones along with other volatile compounds. The genome of LL441 included eight circular molecules, the bacterial chromosome, and seven plasmids (pLL441-1 through pLL441-7), ranging in size from 8.7 to 53.3 kbp. Genome analysis revealed vast arrays of genes involved in carbohydrate utilization and flavor formation in milk, as well as genes providing acid and bile resistance. No genes coding for virulence traits or pathogenicity factors were detected. Chromosome and plasmids were packed with insertion sequence (IS) elements. Plasmids were also abundant in genes encoding heavy metal resistance traits and plasmid maintenance functions. Technologically relevant phenotypes linked to plasmids, such as the production of plantaricin C (pLL441-1), lactose utilization (pLL441-2), and bacteriophage resistance (pLL441-4), were also identified. The absence of acquired antibiotic resistance and of phenotypes and genes of concern suggests L. plantarum LL441 be safe. The strain might therefore have a use as a starter or starter component in dairy and other food fermentations or as a probiotic.
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