EnterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli- Its Control from a Viewpoint of Food Safety -

This review focuses on the bacteriological nature and epidemics of enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli(EHEC), a global scourge, from the viewpoint of food safety. Many human EHEC infections are linked to eating undercooked food and untreated water. We are still struggling to control this pathogen in the food chain, so we discuss current knowledge on sources of infection and EHEC distribution and survival mechanisms in foreign environments including the food matrix. We also introduce ways to effectively prevent food-borne EHEC infection.

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Introduction to the Food Safety Concerns of Verotoxin-Producing Escherichia coli

Experimental Biology and Medicine ◽

10.1177/153537020322800401 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 228 (4) ◽

pp. 331-332 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Hussein S. Hussein ◽

Stanley T. Omaye

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Food Safety ◽

Safety Concern ◽

Critical Evaluation ◽

The United States ◽

Global Perspective ◽

E Coli ◽

The Past ◽

Food Borne Pathogens ◽

Food Borne

Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) have emerged in the past two decades as food-borne pathogens that can cause major outbreaks of human illnesses worldwide. The number of outbreaks has increased in recent years due to changes in food production and processing systems, eating habits, microbial adaptation, and methods of VTEC transmission. The human illnesses range from mild diarrhea to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) that can lead to death. The VTEC outbreaks have been attributed to O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 serotypes of E. coli. These E. coli serotypes include motile (e.g., O26:H11 and O104:H21) and nonmotile (e.g., O111:H–,0145:H–, and O157:H–) strains. In the United States, E. coli O157:H7 has been the major cause of VTEC outbreaks. Worldwide, however, non-O157:H7 VTEC (e.g., members of the 026, O103, O111, O118, O145, and O166 serogroups) have caused approximately 30% of the HUS cases in the past decade. Because large numbers of the VTEC outbreaks have been attributed to consumption of ruminant products (e.g., ground beef), cattle and sheep are considered reservoirs of these food-borne pathogens. Because of the food safety concern of VTEC, a global perspective on this problem is addressed (Exp Biol Med Vol. 228, No. 4). The first objective was to evaluate the known non-O157:H7 VTEC strains and the limitations associated with their detection and characterization. The second objective was to identify the VTEC serotypes associated with outbreaks of human illnesses and to provide critical evaluation of their virulence. The third objective was to determine the rumen effect on survival of E. coli O157:H7 as a VTEC model. The fourth objective was to explore the role of intimins in promoting attaching and effacing lesions in humans. Finally, the ability of VTEC to cause persistent infections in cattle was evaluated.

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High-resolution analysis of spatiotemporal virulence gene regulation during food-borne infection withEscherichia coliO157:H7 within a live host

10.1101/128934 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel H Stones ◽

Alexander GJ Fehr ◽

Thekke P Madhavan ◽

Kerstin Voelz ◽

Anne Marie Krachler

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

High Resolution ◽

Real Time ◽

Food Chain ◽

Intestinal Tract ◽

Virulence Gene ◽

Bacterial Physiology ◽

Food Borne ◽

High Resolution Analysis ◽

Resolution Analysis

ABSTRACTFood-borne infection with enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli(EHEC) is a major cause of diarrheal illness in humans, and can lead to severe complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome. Cattle and other ruminants are the main reservoir of EHEC, which enters the food-chain through contaminated meat, dairy, or vegetables. However, how EHEC transitions from the transmission vector to colonizing the intestinal tract, and how virulence-specific genes are regulated during this transition, is not well understood. Here, we describe the establishment of a vertebrate model for food-borne EHEC infection, using the protozoanParamecium caudatumas a vector and the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a host. At 4 days post fertilization, zebrafish have a fully developed intestinal tract, yet are fully transparent. This allows us to follow intestinal colonization, microbe-host cell interactions, and microbial gene induction within the live host and in real time throughout the infection. Additionally, this model can be adapted to compare food- and water-borne infections, under gnotobiotic conditions or against the backdrop of an endogenous (and variable) host microbiota. Finally, the zebrafish allows for investigation of factors affecting shedding and transmission of bacteria to naïve hosts. High-resolution analysis of EHEC gene expression within the zebrafish host emphasizes the need for tight transcriptional regulation of virulence factors for within-host fitness.IMPORTANCEEnterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli(EHEC) is a food-borne pathogen which can cause diarrhea, vomiting and in some cases, severe complications such as kidney problems in humans. Up to 30% of cattle are colonized with EHEC, which can enter the food-chain through contaminated meat, dairy and vegetables. In order to control infections and stop transmission, it is important to understand what factors allow EHEC to colonize its hosts, cause virulence and aid transmission. Since this cannot be systematically studied in humans, it is important to develop animal models of infection and transmission. We developed a model which allows us to study food-borne infection in zebrafish, a vertebrate host that is transparent and genetically tractable. Using the zebrafish host, we can follow the bacterial infection cycle in real time, and gain important information regarding bacterial physiology and microbe-host interactions. This will allow us to identify potential new targets for infection control and prevention.

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An outbreak of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection in Norway, 2012: a reminder to consider uncommon pathogens in outbreaks involving imported products

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268814001058 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 143 (3) ◽

pp. 486-493 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

E. MacDONALD ◽

K. E. MØLLER ◽

A. L. WESTER ◽

U. R. DAHLE ◽

N. O. HERMANSEN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Food Safety ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽

Gastrointestinal Pathogens ◽

Heat Treated ◽

Sources Of Infection ◽

Initial Interviews ◽

Etec Infection

SUMMARYWe investigated an outbreak of gastroenteritis following a Christmas buffet served on 4–9 December 2012 to ~1300 hotel guests. More than 300 people were reported ill in initial interviews with hotel guests. To identify possible sources of infection we conducted a cohort investigation through which we identified 214 probable cases. Illness was associated with consumption of scrambled eggs (odds ratio 9·07, 95% confidence interval 5·20–15·84). Imported chives added fresh to the scrambled eggs were the suspected source of the outbreak but were unavailable for testing. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection was eventually confirmed in 40 hotel guests. This outbreak reinforces that ETEC should be considered in non-endemic countries when the clinical picture is consistent and common gastrointestinal pathogens are not found. Following this outbreak, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority recommended that imported fresh herbs should be heat-treated before use in commercial kitchens.

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Micro/nanoplastic mediated pathophysiological changes in rodents, rabbits, and chicken

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/jfp-21-117 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amrita Banerjee ◽

Weilin Shelver

Keyword(s):

Food Safety ◽

Food Chain ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Human Beings ◽

Metabolic Alterations ◽

Terrestrial Mammals ◽

Societal Benefits ◽

Food Borne ◽

Human Food Chain

Plastics provide tremendous societal benefits and are an indispensable part of our lives. However, fragmented plastics or those intentionally manufactured in small sizes (microplastics or nanoplastics) are of concern because they can infiltrate soils and enter the human food chain through trophic transfer. The pathophysiological impacts of micro/nanoplastics in humans are not characterized but their effects in terrestrial mammals may help elucidate their potential effects in human beings. Rodent studies have demonstrated that micro/nanoplastics can breach the intestinal barrier, accumulate in various organs, cause gut dysbosis, decrease mucus secretion, induce metabolic alterations, and cause neurotoxicity, amongst other pathophysiologic effects. Larger mammals such as rabbits can also absorb microplastics orally. In farm animals such as chicken, microplastics have been detected in the gut, thereby raising food safety concerns. This review mostly focuses on studies conducted to assess effects of micro/nanoplastic exposure through food and water in terrestrial mammals and farm animals including rodents, rabbit and chicken, identifies main knowledge gaps, and provides recommendations for further research to understand food-borne MP/NP toxicity in humans.

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Microbiological Characterization of Grilled Meat “Tchatchanga” in Cotonou (Southern Benin): Enumeration, Isolation and Resistance Profile of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Notulae Scientia Biologicae ◽

10.15835/nsb11110274 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 39-44

Author(s):

Ousmane ASSIM ◽

Victorien T. DOUGNON ◽

Nicodème W. CHABI ◽

Jerrold A. AGBANKPE ◽

Alidah V. ANIAMBOSSOU ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Developing Countries ◽

Food Safety ◽

Strain Resistance ◽

Resistance Profile ◽

Food Borne ◽

The City ◽

Southern Benin

Collective food-borne diseases are the reason for a considerable number of deaths in developing countries. The contamination of meat is often noticed. The purpose of the present study was to enumerate, isolate and evaluate the resistance profile of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in grilled meat consumed in Southern Benin. To achieve this goal, 30 thirty samples of grilled meat “Tchatchanga” were collected in three districts of the city of Cotonou. After collection, the samples were identified, stored in a cooler containing cold accumulator’s and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The resistance profile of the different isolated strains was then sought: 30% of the samples were contaminated with Escherichia coli and 100% with Staphylococci. In terms of hygienic quality, 70% of the samples were of unsatisfactory. Of the 30 staphylococcal strains, 11 were identified as Staphylococcus aureus. Regarding the strain resistance profile, 88.89% of the Escherichia coli strains were multi-resistant compared to 72.72% of Staphylococcus aureus. This study revealed the necessity of urgent actions to ensure food safety in Benin.

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Multiple contaminations of chickens with Campylobacter, Escherichia coli and Salmonella in Yaounde (Cameroon)

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.1019 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 4 (09) ◽

pp. 583-686 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Ariane Nzouankeu ◽

Antoinette Ngandjio ◽

Guy Ejenguele ◽

Thomas Njine ◽

Marguerite Ndayo Wouafo

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Food Safety ◽

Salmonella Enteritidis ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Poultry Meat ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Retail Markets ◽

E Coli ◽

Food Borne ◽

Salmonella Hadar

Introduction: Food-borne diseases associated with Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella are mainly caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked poultry meat. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella in chickens. Methodology: One hundred and fifty chickens collected from eight retail markets in Yaounde were examined for the presence of Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella using standard bacteriological procedures. Results: Of the 150 chickens collected, 135 (90%) were contaminated with Campylobacter (68.9% C. coli and 31.1% C. jejuni). All the chickens were positive for E. coli. Among the 150 isolates, 17 (11.3%) were enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). Additionally, 103 Salmonella strains were recovered from 90 chickens. Salmonella Enteritidis (45.6%) and Salmonella Hadar (28.1%) were the most frequent serotypes. Multiple contamination was found in 142 chickens (94.6%), of which 83 (55.3%) were concurrently contaminated with Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella. Conclusion: These results show that chickens in Cameroon are highly contaminated with Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella. The multiple contaminations of chickens is a potential risk of infection for consumers and highlights the necessity of public awareness for food safety.

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