Bacterial contamination of chicken food egg with automated and manual sorting and packaging

Chicken eggs are a staple food for humans and are consumed all over the world. Chicken eggs have a leading position among food products in terms of nutritional value and taste. During storage, under the influence of air oxygen and microorganisms, eggs deteriorate, contamination of opportunistic and pathogenic microflora increases. Purpose: analysis of the results of bacteriological studies of eggs of various producers during automatic and manual sorting and packaging from the trading network in Sumy and the Sumy region in accordance with DSTU 5028:2008 “Edible hen eggs. Specifications” and Microbiological Criteria for Establishing Food Safety Indicators. Materials and methods. Bacteriological studies of shell washings and egg contents were carried out according to standard methods. Samples of edible chicken eggs with automatic and manual sorting and packaging corresponded to DSTU 5028:2008, Microbiological criteria for establishing food safety indicators and BIE No. 5061-89. Pathogenic and opportunistic pathogens of bacterial diseases were not isolated from the surface of eggs of the control group during automated sorting and packing, spore bacteria of the genus Bacillus (Bacillus subtilis) were isolated. In washes from the egg shell surface with manual sorting and packaging, Streptococcus spp was found – 12 % of the number of samples examined, E. faecalis – 34 %, P. aeruginosa – 11 %, and spore bacteria of the genus Bacillus (B. subtilis) – 43 %. The number of QMA&OAMO and CGB (coli-forms) in both groups corresponded to the established norms, but the QMA&OAMO indicator in the products of enterprises with manual collection and packaging was 34 % higher compared to eggs from enterprises with automated sorting and packaging. Automation of the process of sorting and packing eggs provides the best microbiological indicators of the safety of edible hen eggs in comparison with those when using manual labor during sorting and packing. A complete transition to the automation of production processes for the production of edible eggs in Ukraine is required.

Low frequency of community-acquired bacterial co-infection in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 based on clinical, radiological and microbiological criteria: a retrospective cohort study

Background We defined the frequency of respiratory community-acquired bacterial co-infection in patients with COVID-19, i.e. patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR or a COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS) score ≥ 4, based on a complete clinical assessment, including prior antibiotic use, clinical characteristics, inflammatory markers, chest computed tomography (CT) results and microbiological test results. Methods Our retrospective study was conducted within a cohort of prospectively included patients admitted for COVID-19 in our tertiary medical centres between 1-3-2020 and 1-6-2020. A multidisciplinary study team developed a diagnostic protocol to retrospectively categorize patients as unlikely, possible or probable bacterial co-infection based on clinical, radiological and microbiological parameters in the first 72 h of admission. Within the three categories, we summarized patient characteristics and antibiotic consumption. Results Among 281 included COVID-19 patients, bacterial co-infection was classified as unlikely in 233 patients (82.9%), possible in 35 patients (12.4%) and probable in 3 patients (1.1%). Ten patients (3.6%) could not be classified due to inconclusive data. Within 72 h of hospital admission, 81% of the total study population and 78% of patients classified as unlikely bacterial co-infection received antibiotics. Conclusions COVID-19 patients are unlikely to have a respiratory community-acquired bacterial co-infection. This study underpins recommendations for restrictive use of antibacterial drugs in patients with COVID-19.

Incidence and Risk Factors of COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Intensive Care Unit —A Monocentric Retrospective Observational Study

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is an increasingly recognized complication of COVID-19 and is associated with significant over-mortality. We performed a retrospective monocentric study in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory insufficiency due to COVID-19 from March to December 2020, in order to evaluate the incidence of CAPA and the associated risk factors. We also analysed the diagnostic approach used in our medical centre for CAPA diagnosis. We defined CAPA using recently proposed consensus definitions based on clinical, radiological and microbiological criteria. Probable cases of CAPA occurred in 9 out of 141 patients included in the analysis (6.4%). All cases were diagnosed during the second wave of the pandemic. We observed a significantly higher realization rate of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (51.1% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.01) and Aspergillus testing (through galactomannan, culture, PCR) on BAL samples during the second wave (p < 0.0001). The testing for Aspergillus in patients meeting the clinical and radiological criteria of CAPA increased between the two waves (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, we reported a low but likely underestimated incidence of CAPA in our population. A greater awareness and more systematic testing for Aspergillus were necessary to assess the real incidence and characteristics of CAPA.

COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients with Acute Leukemia: A Single-Center Study

Patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) have increased susceptibility to secondary respiratory infections including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is difficult to diagnose and can be associated with increased mortality especially in severe immunodeficiency such as hematological malignancies. Our study evaluates IPA in COVID-19 patients defined as COVID-19-CAPA among patients with acute leukemia (AL). A retrospective single-center study analyzed 46 patients with COVID-19 infection and acute leukemia, admitted to the Clinic for Haematology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade between the 2 April 2020 and 15 May 2021. During hospitalization, all participants were diagnosed with probable IPA according to the previous consensus definitions. Positive serology and galactomannan (GM) detection values in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and serum were used as microbiological criteria. COVID-19 associated probable IPA was found in 22% (9/41) tested patients, where serum GM and IgM anti-Aspergillus antibodies were positive in 12% (5/41) and 10% (4/41) had positive serology for aspergillosis. One patient died while eight recovered during follow-up. Our study showed that COVID-19 might be a risk factor for IPA development in patients with AL. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are required as reported mortality rates are high.

Categorization of animal feed according to microbiological quality - preferable improvement in the food chain

Given the fact that the law on animal feed in Serbia has long been expected and that the current Regulation on the quality of animal feed, which includes microbiological criteria, requires improvement over the years, it is time to choose the best new solutions. The recommendable change that would bring the categorization of animal feed according to more objective and comprehensive criteria is based on the use of the VDLUFA (Verbands Deutscher Landwirdschaftlicher Untersuchungs und Forschungsanstalten) method. In several European countries, it has become routine, due to the great interest of feed producers and animal breeders in good knowledge of microbiological quality of feed as a guarantee of a wholesome final product. It involves determination of the contents of moulds, yeasts and bacteria while taking into account their potential pathogenicity. Based on the number of microorganisms, divided into seven groups, feed and feedingstuffs are classified into four categories. Classes I to III can be placed on the market, while class IV is not suitable for animal nutrition. More precise, regular determination of microorganisms would also provide a better insight into other common feed-born problems, such as, for instance, the possibility of mycotoxin occurrence.

Evaluation of Biochemical and Microbiological Properties of Pleurotus ostreatus Mushrooms Cultivated and Sold in M’Badon Village (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)

Objective: The present study aims to constitute a database necessary for the efficient valorisation of the local cultivated edible mushrooms in the Ivorian diet. This work consisted in evaluating the biochemical characteristics and microbiology analysis of cultivated Pleurotus ostreatus species sold and used in rural and urban people food. Methodology: Standard methods proposed by AOAC made this study possible to determine the biochemical parameters such as dry matter, ash, pH, moisture, protein and lipid content. The microbiological analyses enabled the enumerations of yeasts and molds, fecal coliforms, aerobic mesophilic germs, detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli and Salmonella were performed. Results: The results showed that the cultivated Pleurotus ostreatus is a food, rich in protein (16.37 ± 0.6 % dw), crude fibre (24.85 ± 0.08 dw) and in ash (11.00 ± 1.33 % dw). On the other hand, this mushroom is relatively low in lipids (4.16 ± 0.13% dw) and reducing sugars (1.04 ± 0.07 % dw) with a low moisture content (6.40 ± 1.13 % dw). These results also revelated the absence of Salmonella and Escherichia coli in the flour. Conclusion: Local cultivated Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom is an undeniable source of protein and crude fibre. Thus it would be used as a substitute for meat diet, allow a good functioning of the immune system and the good development of bones. It also show satisfactory microbiological criteria. Thus Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom is a safety food for ivorian.

Implementation of Food Safety Management Systems along with Other Management Tools (HAZOP, FMEA, Ishikawa, Pareto). The Case Study of Listeria monocytogenes and Correlation with Microbiological Criteria

The food industry’s failure in planning and designing of and in implementing a Food Safety Management System and its foundation elements leads, in most instances, to compromised food safety and subsequent foodborne illness outbreaks. This phenomenon was noticed, worldwide, for all food processors, but with a much higher incidence in the medium- and small-sized food processing plants. Our study focuses on the importance of Food Safety Management System (FSMS), Critical Control Points Hazard Analysis (HACCP) and the Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) as the foundation of HACCP, in preventing foodborne outbreaks. For emphasis, we make use of the example of organizational food safety culture failures and the lack of managerial engagement which resulted in a multi-state listeriosis outbreak in USA. Moreover, we correlate this with microbiological criteria. Implementation of food safety management systems (ISO 22000:2018) along with incorporation of management tools such as HAZOP, FMEA, Ishikawa and Pareto have proved to be proactive in the maintenance of a positive food safety culture and prevention of cross-contamination and fraud.

Prediction of ventilator-associated pneumonia outcomes according to the early microbiological response: a retrospective observational study

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a leading infectious cause of morbidity in critically ill patients; yet current guidelines offer no indications for follow-up cultures.We aimed to evaluate the role of follow-up cultures and microbiological response 3 days after diagnosing ventilator-associated pneumonia as predictors of short- and long-term outcomes.We performed a retrospective analysis of a cohort prospectively collected from 2004 to 2017. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was diagnosed based on clinical, radiographic, and microbiological criteria. For microbiological identification, a tracheobronchial aspirate was performed at diagnosis and repeated after 72 h. We defined three groups when comparing the two tracheobronchial aspirate results: persistence, superinfection, and eradication of causative pathogens.One-hundred-fifty-seven patients were enrolled in the study, among whom microbiological persistence, superinfection, and eradication was present in 67 (48%), 25 (16%), and 65 (41%), respectively, after 72hs. Those with superinfection had the highest mortalities in the intensive care unit (p=0.015) and at 90 days (p=0.036), while also having the fewest ventilation-free days (p=0.024). Multivariable analysis revealed shock at VAP diagnosis (odds ratios [OR] 3.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25 to 9.40), Staphylococcus aureus isolation at VAP diagnosis (OR 2.87; 95%CI 1.06 to 7.75), and hypothermia at VAP diagnosis (OR 0.67; 95%CI 0.48 to 0.95, per +1°C) to be associated with superinfection.Our retrospective analysis suggests that ventilator-associated pneumonia short-term and long-term outcomes may be associated with superinfection in follow-up cultures. Follow-up cultures may help guiding antibiotic therapy and its duration. Further prospective studies are necessary to verify our findings.

Microbial Quality of Industrially Processed Sachet-Packed Fruit Drinks Consumed Mostly by School Children in Nigeria

Fruit drinks are often packed as accompaniments with school children’s lunch packs in Nigeria. In recent times, reports from consumers stated that a lot of these drinks when opened up and poured into cups before drinking, fungal mass was present and this has queried the safety of consumption of these drinks. The aim of this study was to determine whether commercially packed fruit drinks consumed majorly by school children were microbially contaminated. Twenty (20) samples of sachet packed fruit drinks comprising of 4 different flavours precisely orange, pineapple, apple and multivitamin flavours were analyzed for their microbial quality. The total bacterial and fungal counts in the samples examined did not exceed the regulatory microbiological criteria for fruit drinks. Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Staphylococcus aureus, Rhizopus, Aspergillus and Penicillium species were isolated from the samples. Lactobacillus poses no health risk to the consumer however, the incidence of Bacillus and Staphylococcus aureus in the drink samples is quite worrisome as they have been implicated as potential pathogens. The fungal species isolated are of public health concern especially as some have been implicated as mycotoxin producers. The presence of these organisms in the drinks may be attributed to indigenous microflora of fruits or concentrates used, poor hygienic practices during production and low pH of the drinks. It is therefore necessary that fruit drink manufacturers adhere strictly to microbiological quality standards and specifications during production especially for foods to be consumed by children with developing immune systems.

Elaboration, characterization and color stability of an isotonic beverage based on whey permeate with carotenoid powder from pequi

The aim of our research was to elaborate, characterize and evaluate the stability under light/darkness and different temperatures (4 and 25 ºC) of the color of an isotonic beverage based on whey permeate with carotenoid extract powder from pequi, and verify its microbiological safety and sensory acceptance. The 3% (w/v) concentration of powdered carotenoid from pequi was chosen because it has osmolality (314.89 mOsmol/L) in the range of hydroelectrolytic beverages and light-yellow tint. The beverage was evaluated for minerals Na (662 mg/L), K (1363.73 mg/L), total carotenoids (75.9 mg/L) and antioxidant capacity by the radicals ABTS (10.79 μmol equivalent Trolox/100 mL) and DPPH (73.38 μmol equivalent Trolox/100 mL), had good sensory acceptance by athletes and remained within microbiological criteria during stability study. The color coordinate L* has undergone less change and C*, greater change. The condition darkness at 4 ºC showed less change in yellow tint, for more than 30 days (t1/2=121.6 day). Due to its characteristics, the beverage has potential benefits for consumption by athletes, because besides being isotonic, it has bioactive properties of pequi carotenoids and natural constituents of whey permeate. The use of permeate, often discarded as effluent, has benefits for the environment.