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Foodborne Pathogens: Features of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance

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A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Mechanism and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2023) | Viewed by 12259

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Luís A. Nero

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Guest Editor

Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Veterinária, 36570 900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Interests: food microbiology; lactic acid bacteria (antimicrobial activity, bacteriocins, probiotics); foodborne pathogens (occurrence, prevalence and distribution, virulence, antibiotic resistance); food inspection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Ricardo Yamatogi

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Guest Editor

Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Veterinária, 36570 900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Interests: food microbiology; foodborne pathogens (virulence, antibiotic resistance, genomics and omics); food inspection; food safety

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Foodborne diseases are described as one of the main relevant public health issues around the world. They are caused by different foodborne pathogens that can contaminate foods in several steps of the production chain, demanding proper surveillance and control by producers, industries, and inspection/health services.

The severity of these diseases is directly associated with the virulence traits of pathogens. These features are different based on the genera and species of pathogens, and specific mutations/deletions/variations in virulence-related genes can increase or decrease their pathogenicity. Proper knowledge on these specific variants is important to properly understand the pathogenic pathways of foodborne pathogens.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in foodborne pathogen is also an emergent concern, and its control is considered as a challenge, based on a One Health approach. Foodborne pathogens are often subjected to distinct selective pressures in the food production chain, which can accelerate the development of AMR. Foodborne diseases caused by resistant pathogens can lead to the use of second- and third-line antibiotics in long-time treatments, causing potential side effects on patients.

In this Special Issue of Antibiotics, we invite colleagues to present their most recent and relevant findings on virulence, antibiotic resistance, and AMR epidemiology of foodborne pathogens, aiming to contribute with the scientific community on these topics.

Prof. Dr. Luís A. Nero
Dr. Ricardo Yamatogi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

foodborne pathogens
food chain
production
processing
virulence
pathogenicity
antibiotic resistance
antimicrobials
antibiotics
surveillance

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1497 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Screening of Antibiotic and Virulence Genes from Whole Genome Sequenced Cronobacter sakazakii Isolated from Food and Milk-Producing Environments

by Ondrej Holý, Julio Parra-Flores, Jaroslav Bzdil, Adriana Cabal-Rosel, Beatriz Daza-Prieto, Ariadnna Cruz-Córdova, Juan Xicohtencatl-Cortes, Ricardo Rodríguez-Martínez, Sergio Acuña, Stephen Forsythe and Werner Ruppitsch

Antibiotics 2023, 12(5), 851; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12050851 - 05 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1595

Abstract

The objective of this study was to use whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to screen for genes encoding for antibiotic resistance, fitness and virulence in Cronobacter sakazakii strains that had been isolated from food and powdered-milk-producing environments. Virulence (VGs) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) were detected with the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) platform, ResFinder and PlasmidFinder tools. Susceptibility testing was performed using disk diffusion. Fifteen presumptive strains of Cronobacter spp. were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and ribosomal-MLST. Nine C. sakazakii strains were found in the meningitic pathovar ST4: two were ST83 and one was ST1. The C. sakazakii ST4 strains were further distinguished using core genome MLST based on 3678 loci. Almost all (93%) strains were resistant to cephalotin and 33% were resistant to ampicillin. In addition, 20 ARGs, mainly involved in regulatory and efflux antibiotics, were detected. Ninety-nine VGs were detected that encoded for OmpA, siderophores and genes involved in metabolism and stress. The IncFIB (pCTU3) plasmid was detected, and the prevalent mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were ISEsa1, ISEc52 and ISEhe3. The C. sakazakii isolates analyzed in this study harbored ARGs and VGs, which could have contributed to their persistence in powdered-milk-producing environments, and increase the risk of infection in susceptible population groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Foodborne Pathogens: Features of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance)

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13 pages, 1037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Serotype Occurrence, Virulence Profiles, Antimicrobial Resistance and Molecular Characterization of Salmonella Isolated from Hospitalized Patients with Gastroenteritis in Great Tunisia between 2010 and 2020

by Walid Oueslati, Mohamed Ridha Rjeibi, Hayet Benyedem, Mounir Jebali, Fatma Souissi, Rachid Selmi, Mohamed Sélim El Asli, Farouk Barguellil and Abdelfettah Ettriqui

Antibiotics 2023, 12(3), 526; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030526 - 06 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1537

Abstract

Non-typhoid Salmonella is one of the major causes of food-borne infections worldwide. The aim of the current study is to determine the serotype occurrence, virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella isolated from hospitalized patients. The identification of Salmonella strains was performed according to REMIC, 2018. The susceptibility of Salmonella isolates was assessed against 20 antimicrobials using the disk diffusion method. Some virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes were identified using PCR. Among the 61 isolated Salmonella strains, seven serotypes were identified and all were positive for the virulence genes invA, mgtC and sirA. Critical resistance rates (>40%) were detected for tetracycline, nalidixic acid, amoxicillin and fluoroquinolones. However, resistances to ertapenem, ceftazidim, aztreonam and colistin were null. In addition, 33% of the isolated strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Moreover, 80% and 60% of S. Kentucky isolates were identified as fluoroquinolone-resistant and MDR strains, respectively. The qnrB gene was amplified in 63.2% of fluoroquinolone-resistant strains. The dfrA1 gene was identified in 20% (4/20) of the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistant strains and the integrase Class 2 gene was amplified in only 8.2% (5/61) of the isolates. Our findings highlight the emergence of MDR Salmonella isolates. A rationalization of antimicrobial use is urgently recommended in both human and veterinary medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Foodborne Pathogens: Features of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance)

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13 pages, 1057 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Resistance Challenged with Platinum(II) and Palladium(II) Complexes Containing 1,10-Phenanthroline and 5-Amino-1,3,4-Thiadiazole-2(3H)-Thione in Campylobacter jejuni

by Meiry Leandra de Lacerda, Daise Aparecida Rossi, Eduarda Cristina Alves Lourenzatto, Micaela Guidotti Takeuchi, Wesley Almeida Souza, Raphael Tristão Cruvinel Silva, Luma Gonçalves Julio, Wendell Guerra and Roberta Torres de Melo

Antibiotics 2022, 11(11), 1645; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11111645 - 17 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1530

Abstract

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of two metal complexes of the type [M(L₁)₂(phen)], where M = Pt²⁺ (complex I) or Pd²⁺ (complex II), L₁ = 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2(3H)-thiolate and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline. The in vitro antibacterial activity of these complexes was investigated in isolation and synergistically with ciprofloxacin (CIP) and erythromycin (ERY) in three strains of Campylobacter jejuni (MIC = 32 mg/L for CIP and ERY), selected from a bank of 235 strains representative of three poultry exporting states of the country (A, B and C), previously analyzed for epidemiology and resistance to CIP and ERY. A total of 53/235 (22.55%) strains showed co-resistance to CIP and ERY. Isolated resistance to CIP was higher than to ERY. Epidemiological analysis showed that resistance to CIP was more evident in state B (p < 0.0001), as well as a higher susceptibility to ERY in state C (p = 0.0028). Co-resistance was expressive in state A and in the spring and fall seasons. The evaluation of I alone and in synergy with CIP and ERY found values up to 0.25 mg/L not significant for ERY. Complex II did not show an antimicrobial effect on the three strains of tested C. jejuni. The effect provided by complex I represents a promising alternative for control of resistant strains of C. jejuni. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Foodborne Pathogens: Features of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance)

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12 pages, 460 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Epidemiology of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Streptococcus agalactiae Sequences from a Public Database in a One Health Perspective

by Gabriele Meroni, Valerio M. Sora, Piera Anna Martino, Alice Sbernini, Giulia Laterza, Francesca Zaghen, Alessio Soggiu and Alfonso Zecconi

Antibiotics 2022, 11(9), 1236; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11091236 - 12 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1780

Abstract

Streptococcus agalactiae is a well-known pathogen in humans and food-producing animals. Therefore, this bacterium is a paradigmatic example of a pathogen to be controlled by a One Health approach. Indeed, the zoonotic and reverse-zoonotic potential of the bacteria, the prevalence of Group B Streptococci (GBS) diseases in both human and animal domains, and the threatening global situation on GBS antibiotic resistance make these bacteria an important target for control programs. An epidemiological analysis using a public database containing sequences of S. agalactiae from all over the world was conducted to evaluate the frequency and evolution of antibiotic resistance genes in those isolates. The database we considered (NCBI pathogen detection isolate browser—NPDIB) is maintained on a voluntary basis. Therefore, it does not follow strict epidemiological criteria. However, it may be considered representative of the bacterial population related to human diseases. The results showed that the number of reported sequences increased largely in the last four years, and about 50% are of European origin. The frequency data and the cluster analysis showed that the AMR genes increased in frequency in recent years and suggest the importance of verifying the application of prudent protocols for antimicrobials in areas with an increasing frequency of GBS infections both in human and veterinary medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Foodborne Pathogens: Features of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance)

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Review

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21 pages, 2470 KiB

Open AccessReview

Antibiotic Resistance and Food Safety: Perspectives on New Technologies and Molecules for Microbial Control in the Food Industry

by Jannette Wen Fang Wu-Wu, Carolina Guadamuz-Mayorga, Douglas Oviedo-Cerdas and William J. Zamora

Antibiotics 2023, 12(3), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030550 - 10 Mar 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5038

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) has direct and indirect repercussions on public health and threatens to decrease the therapeutic effect of antibiotic treatments and lead to more infection-related deaths. There are several mechanisms by which ABR can be transferred from one microorganism to another. The risk of transfer is often related to environmental factors. The food supply chain offers conditions where ABR gene transfer can occur by multiple pathways, which generates concerns regarding food safety. This work reviews mechanisms involved in ABR gene transfer, potential transmission routes in the food supply chain, the prevalence of antibiotic residues in food and ABR organisms in processing lines and final products, and implications for public health. Finally, the paper will elaborate on the application of antimicrobial peptides as new alternatives to antibiotics that might countermeasure ABR and is compatible with current food trends. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Foodborne Pathogens: Features of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance)

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