scholarly journals Characterization of A Staphylococcal Food Poisoning Outbreak in A Workplace Canteen during the Post-Earthquake Reconstruction of Central Italy

Toxins ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizia Guidi ◽  
Anna Duranti ◽  
Silvia Gallina ◽  
Yacine Nia ◽  
Annalisa Petruzzelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Italy ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Emergency Situation ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Single Strain ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Coagulase Positive Staphylococci ◽  
Earthquake Reconstruction

In summer 2017, a foodborne outbreak occurred in Central Italy, involving 26 workers employed in the post-earthquake reconstruction. After eating a meal provided by a catering service, they manifested gastrointestinal symptoms; 23 of them were hospitalized. The retrospective cohort study indicated the pasta salad as the most likely vehicle of poisoning. Foods, environmental samples, and food handlers’ nasal swabs were collected. Bacillus cereus (Bc) and coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) including S. aureus, together with their toxins, were the targets of the analysis. CPS, detected in all the leftovers, exceeded 105 CFU/g in the pasta salad, in which we found Staphylococcal Enterotoxins (SEs) (0.033 ng SEA/g; 0.052 ng SED/g). None of the environmental and human swabs showed contamination. We characterized 23 S. aureus from foods. They all belonged to the human biotype, showed the same toxigenic profile (sea, sed, sej, and ser genes), and had the same Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern; none of them harbored mecA or mupA genes. We also detected Bc contamination in the pasta salad but none of the isolates harbored the ces gene for the emetic toxin cereulide. The EU Reference Laboratory for CPS confirmed the case as a strong-evidence outbreak caused by the ingestion of SEs produced by a single strain of S. aureus carried by the same human source. This outbreak was successfully investigated despite the emergency situation in which it occurred.

Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Camel and Human samples from Aswan Governorate in Egypt

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Camel Milk ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Diffusion Test ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Human Samples ◽  
Nasal Swabs

Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the occurrence and molecular characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolates among camel and human samples in Aswan. Materials and Methods: A total of 320 samples: milk, nasal swabs and bus swabs were collected from camels (n= 290) and their human contacts (n= 30) from Aswan governorate. Disc diffusion test was applied to detect resistant and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA isolates. PCR was applied for detection of the virulence genes: nuc, hla, pvl, mecA, vanA, vanB and enterotoxins (sea, seb sec and sed) genes. Results: 112 Out of 165 she camel milk samples (67.9%), 59 out of 125 camel nasal samples (47.2%), 3 out of 5 worker nasal swabs (60%) and 16 out of 25 abscesses' swabs from human infected wound (64%) were positive for staphylococci. Only 34 out of 190 staphylococci were S. aureus (17.9%) and they were tested by PCR of the nuc gene. All S. aureus isolates were sensitive to vancomycin. The two human isolates were resistant to streptomycin and erythromycin. Among 25 % of S. aureus isolated from camel milk samples were resistant to gentamicin and ceftriaxone (each), 50% and 31.2 % were resistant or intermediate resistant to streptomycin and clindamycin respectively. Among S. aureus isolated from camel nasal swabs, 18.8% were resistant or intermediate resistant to cefoxitin and ceftriaxone (each). 13 out of 34 S. aureus isolates (38.2%) were MRSA. All S. aureus isolates were amplified 279 bp of nuc gene specific for S. aureus strains. While 28, 12 and 11 isolates were harboring hla, mecA and pvl genes respectively. All S. aureus isolates were negative for vanA, vanB and enterotoxins (sea, seb sec and sed) genes. Conclusion: S. aureus and MRSA isolated from camel milk considered a potential health risk for food poisoning.

Phylogeny Characterization of Seb Gene Encoding Enterotoxins in Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Raw Milk and Cheese

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (o3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima N. Aziz ◽  
Laith Abdul Hassan Mohammed-Jawad
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B ◽  
Human Pathogen ◽  
Conventional Pcr ◽  
Biochemical Tests ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Gene Encoding

Food poisoning due to the bacteria is a big global problem in economically and human's health. This problem refers to an illness which is due to infection or the toxin exists in nature and the food that use. Milk is considered a nutritious food because it contains proteins and vitamins. The aim of this study is to detect and phylogeny characterization of staphylococcal enterotoxin B gene (Seb). A total of 200 milk and cheese samples were screened. One hundred ten isolates of Staphylococcus aureus pre-confirmed using selective and differential media with biochemical tests. Genomic DNA was extracted from the isolates and the SEB gene detects using conventional PCR with specific primers. Three staphylococcus aureus isolates were found to be positive for Seb gene using PCR and confirmed by sequencing. Sequence homology showed variety range of identity starting from (100% to 38%). Phylogenetic tree analyses show that samples (6 and 5) are correlated with S. epidermidis. This study discovered that isolates (A6-RLQ and A5-RLQ) are significantly clustered in a group with non- human pathogen Staphylococcus agnetis.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Characterization of Coagulase Positive Staphylococci from Food Products and Human Specimens in Egypt

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Eman E. Abdeen ◽  
Walid S. Mousa ◽  
Sarah Y. Abdelsalam ◽  
Hanim S. Heikal ◽  
Reyad R. Shawish ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Chain ◽  
Meca Gene ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Human Samples ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mrsa Strains ◽  
Minced Meat ◽  
Coagulase Positive Staphylococci

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have veterinary and public health importance as they are responsible for a wide range of difficult to treat infections and food poisoning. Two hundred samples (50 samples each of minced meat, beef luncheon, Karish cheese, and human samples (pus swab from open wounds)) were cultured, and MRSA strains were identified using disk diffusion tests and mecA gene-based PCR. A total of 35% (70/200) of the examined samples were confirmed as coagulase-positive S. aureus in minced meat (46%), beef luncheon (44%), Karish cheese (44%), and human samples (22%). The MRSA strains showed resistance to amoxicillin (91.4%), penicillin (97.1%), cefoxitin (85.7%), cephradine (82.9%), tetracycline (57.2%), and erythromycin (52.8%). More than half of the tested S. aureus isolates harbored the mecA gene. The sequence analysis of the mecA gene from the minced meat, Karish cheese, and human samples revealed high genetic similarities between the S. aureus isolates from these sources. In conclusion, our findings indicate a risk for the transmission of the mecA gene of S. aureus across the food chain between humans and animal food products. Further studies should focus on finding additional epidemiological aspects of the MRSA strains in food chain.

scholarly journals S. pseudintermedius and S. aureus lineages with transmission ability circulate as causative agents of infections in pets for years

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Ruiz-Ripa ◽  
Carmen Simón ◽  
Sara Ceballos ◽  
Carmelo Ortega ◽  
Myriam Zarazaga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Profile ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Veterinary Hospital ◽  
Coagulase Positive Staphylococci

Abstract Background Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) are common colonizers of companion animals, but they are also considered opportunistic pathogens, causing diseases of diverse severity. This study focused on the identification and characterization of 33 coagulase-positive staphylococci isolated from diseased pets (28 dogs and five cats) during 2009–2011 in a veterinary hospital in Spain in order to stablish the circulating lineages and their antimicrobial resistance profile. Results Twenty-eight isolates were identified as SP and five as SA. Nine methicillin-resistant (MR) isolates (27%) carrying the mecA gene were detected (eight MRSP and one MRSA). The 55% of SP and SA isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). MRSP strains were typed as ST71-agrIII-SCCmecII/III-(PFGE) A (n=5), ST68-agrIV-SCCmecV-B1/B2 (n=2), and ST258-agrII-SCCmecIV-C (n=1). SP isolates showed resistance to the following antimicrobials [percentage of resistant isolates/resistance genes]: penicillin [82/blaZ], oxacillin [29/mecA] erythromycin/clindamycin [43/erm(B)], aminoglycosides [18–46/aacA-aphD, aphA3, aadE], tetracycline [71/tet(M), tet(K)], ciprofloxacin [29], chloramphenicol [29/catpC221], and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole [50/dfrG, dfrK]. The dfrK gene was revealed as part of the radC-integrated Tn559 in two SP isolates. Virulence genes detected among SP isolates were as follow [percentage of isolates]: siet [100], se-int [100], lukS/F-I [100], seccanine [7], and expB [7]. The single MRSA-mecA detected was typed as t011-ST398/CC398-agrI-SCCmecV and was MDR. The methicillin-susceptible SA isolates were typed as t045-ST5/CC5 (n=2), t10576-ST1660 (n=1), and t005-ST22/CC22 (n=1); the t005-ST22 feline isolate was PVL-positive and the two t045-ST45 isolates were ascribed to Immune Evasion Cluster (IEC) type F. Moreover, the t10576-ST1660 isolate, of potential equine origin, harbored the lukPQ and scneq genes. According to animal clinical history and data records, several strains seem to have been acquired from different sources of the hospital environment, while some SA strains appeared to have a human origin. Conclusions The frequent detection of MR and MDR isolates among clinical SP and SA strains with noticeable virulence traits is of veterinary concern, implying limited treatment options available. This is the first description of MRSA-ST398 and MRSP-ST68 in pets in Spain, as well the first report of the dfrK-carrying Tn559 in SP. This evidences that current transmissible lineages with mobilizable resistomes have been circulating as causative agents of infections among pets for years.

scholarly journals Incidence and characterisation of Bacillus cereus bacteriophages from Thua Nao, a Thai fermented soybean product

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-93
Author(s):  
Wallapat Phongtang ◽  
Ekachai Chukeatirote
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Cereus ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Fermented Soybean ◽  
Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Ph Range ◽  
Potential Use

Abstract Bacillus cereus is considered to be an important food poisoning agent causing diarrhea and vomiting. In this study, the occurrence of B. cereus bacteriophages in Thai fermented soybean products (Thua Nao) was studied using five B. cereus sensu lato indicator strains (four B. cereus strains and one B. thuringiensis strain). In a total of 26 Thua Nao samples, there were only two bacteriophages namely BaceFT01 and BaceCM02 exhibiting lytic activity against B. cereus. Morphological analysis revealed that these two bacteriophages belonged to the Myoviridae. Both phages were specific to B. cereus and not able to lyse other tested bacteria including B. licheniformis and B. subtilis. The two phages were able to survive in a pH range between 5 and 12. However, both phages were inactive either by treatment of 50°C for 2 h or exposure of UV for 2 h. It should be noted that both phages were chloroform-insensitive, however. This is the first report describing the presence of bacteriophages in Thua Nao products. The characterization of these two phages is expected to be useful in the food industry for an alternative strategy including the potential use of the phages as a biocontrol candidate against foodborne pathogenic bacteria.

scholarly journals Application of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to the epidemiological characterization ofStaphylococcus intermediusimplicated in a food-related outbreak

1994 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. M. Khambaty ◽  
R. W. Bennett ◽  
D. B. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Pfge Pattern ◽  
Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Western United States ◽  
Single Strain ◽  
Pulsed Field ◽  
Definitive Evidence ◽  
Staphylococcus Intermedius ◽  
Epidemiological Characterization

SUMMARYAn outbreak of food intoxication involving over 265 cases in western United States occurred in October 1991.Staphylococcus intermediuswas implicated as the aetiologic agent. Representative outbreak isolates (five clinical and ten from foods) produced type A enterotoxin. DNA fragments generated by four restriction endonucleases and analysed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) provided definitive evidence that all isolates from nine different counties in California and Nevada were derived from a single strain. The PFGE pattern of these outbreak isolates was distinct from those of a heterogeneous collection of sevenS. intermediusstrains of veterinary origin and five unrelatedS. aureuslaboratory strains. The data show a significant PFGE pattern heterogeneity not only among members of differentStaphylococcusspecies but also within members of the same species and even the same enterotoxin type. The results indicate that PFGE is a valuable strain-specific discriminator for the epidemiological characterization ofS. intermedius. To our knowledge, this represents the first documented foodborne outbreak caused byS. intermedius. These findings suggest that the presence ofS. intermediusand other species such asS. hyicusin food should be reason for concern.

scholarly journals Integrating macroseismic intensity distributions with a probabilistic approach: an application in Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2299-2311
Author(s):  
Andrea Antonucci ◽  
Andrea Rovida ◽  
Vera D'Amico ◽  
Dario Albarello
Keyword(s):  
Southern Italy ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Probabilistic Approach ◽  
Source Characterization ◽  
Strong Earthquakes ◽  
Intensity Prediction ◽  
Macroseismic Intensities ◽  
Earthquake Effects ◽  
Available Information

Abstract. The geographic distribution of earthquake effects quantified in terms of macroseismic intensities, the so-called macroseismic field, provides basic information for several applications including source characterization of pre-instrumental earthquakes and risk analysis. Macroseismic fields of past earthquakes as inferred from historical documentation may present spatial gaps, due to the incompleteness of the available information. We present a probabilistic approach aimed at integrating incomplete intensity distributions by considering the Bayesian combination of estimates provided by intensity prediction equations (IPEs) and data documented at nearby localities, accounting for the relevant uncertainties and the discrete and ordinal nature of intensity values. The performance of the proposed methodology is tested at 28 Italian localities with long and rich seismic histories and for two well-known strong earthquakes (i.e., 1980 southern Italy and 2009 central Italy events). A possible application of the approach is also illustrated relative to a 16th-century earthquake in the northern Apennines.

Hydrodynamic and isotopic characterization of a site contaminated by chlorinated solvents: Chienti River Valley, Central Italy

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 164-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Petitta ◽  
Eva Pacioni ◽  
Chiara Sbarbati ◽  
Gianni Corvatta ◽  
Marco Fanelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Italy ◽  
Chlorinated Solvents ◽  
River Valley ◽  
Isotopic Characterization ◽  
A Site

scholarly journals Characterization of clinical Clostridium difficile isolates by PCR ribotyping and detection of toxin genes in Austria, 2006–2007

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 702-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Indra ◽  
D. Schmid ◽  
S. Huhulescu ◽  
M. Hell ◽  
R. Gattringer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Pseudomembranous Colitis ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Toxic Megacolon ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Specimen Collection ◽  
Pcr Ribotyping ◽  
High Level

In order to assess the lethality of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) and the PCR ribotypes prevalent in Austria, the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety requested isolates of C. difficile from patients in a structured but arbitrary sampling scheme. In the allocated period from February 2006 to January 2007, local hospital laboratories within each of the nine provinces were asked to submit C. difficile isolates from at least ten cases of CDAD. Confirmation of species identification, toxin detection, susceptibility testing against four antimicrobial agents and typing using a PCR ribotyping method were performed at the reference laboratory. In total, 149 isolates of putative C. difficile were submitted, from which 142 were included for study. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns revealed resistance to clindamycin in 57 % and high-level resistance to moxifloxacin in 38 % of isolates tested. CDAD manifested as diarrhoea (including eight cases of bloody diarrhoea) in 126 cases (88.7 %), as pseudomembranous colitis in 15 cases (10.6 %) and as toxic megacolon in one case. Twelve of the 142 patients died within 30 days of specimen collection (8.45 % lethality). A lethal outcome occurred in 2/15 cases (13.3 %) when pseudomembranous colitis was present and in 10/126 cases (7.9 %) in the absence of pseudomembranous colitis or toxic megacolon. Among the 142 isolates from 25 health-care facilities, 41 PCR ribotype patterns were found. The most frequent ribotypes were AI-5 (including six lethal cases out of 26 patients), 014 (two out of 24) and 053 (one out of 24). The typing patterns demonstrated the occurrence of clusters in hospitals.

First Detection and Genetic Characterization of Equus Caballus Papillomavirus 1, 2 and 7 in China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panpan Tong ◽  
Xiaozhen Song ◽  
Meiling Ren ◽  
Erken Jia ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Epidemiological Study ◽  
Genetic Characterization ◽  
Equus Caballus ◽  
Genomic Sequences ◽  
Sequence Analyses ◽  
Pioneer Study ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Complete Genomic

Abstract Background: Nine species of Equus caballus papillomavirus (EcPV) have been reported to infect horses, however, there are so far no reports of such infections in China. Results: In our pioneer study with Chinese horses, we found EcPV-1 in intranasal papilloma and nasal swabs, EcPV-2 in nasal swabs and semen, and EcPV-7 primarily in semen. This indicates that EcPVs are indeed hosted by horses in China, and that EcPV-2 and 7 may be getting transmitted though breeding. Sequence analyses for complete genomic sequences of EcPV-1 (G2), EcPV-2 (XJ-KS1391) and EcPV-7 (XJ-zs1) were performed which indicated that EcPV-1, 2 and 7, that infect horses in China, share 99.3% nt identity with the already published sequences for EcPV-1, 2 and 7. These observations indicate that three types of EcPVs identified in the current study are highly similar variants of previously known types of EcPV-1, 2 and 7. Phylogenetic analysis based on L1 genes in GenBank showed that EcPV-1, 2 and 7, found in Chinese horses, are closely related to and clustered together with already known EcPV-1, 2 and 7, respectively. Conclusion: Our study provides a novel evidence for EcPVs infection and circulation in Chinese horses and thus lays the foundation for a systematic and detailed epidemiological study of these infections in Chinese horses.

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