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Antibiotics
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Food-Borne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance
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Food-Borne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 18712

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Kálmán Imre

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timisoara, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Timisoara, Romania
Interests: foodborne disease prevention; Salmonella spp. Listeria monocytogenes; S. aureus; antimicrobial resistance; multidrug resistant bacteria; molecular diagnosis; waterborne diseases

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The control of the occurrence of foodborne pathogens within the food chain, as well as their associated diseases, are considered to be one of the biggest challenges for food safety managers and public health authorities. The burden of foodborne illnesses is reflected in the significant economic losses and substantial public health and medical concerns at the level of each country worldwide. In recent decades, the large-scale overusage of common antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine have greatly contributed to the emergence and the spread of antimicrobial resistance phenomena of bacterial origin, such as foodborne pathogens. This fact can lead to undesired outcomes regarding the effectiveness of public health and veterinary interventions.

Based on these considerations, we are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue with original, high-quality research articles or reviews, aiming to contribute to the understanding of the complex puzzle of the spreading and antimicrobial phenomenon of food-borne pathogens. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  1. All aspects regarding the surveillance of foodborne pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility profile within the human–animal–environment interface;
  2. Foodborne-outbreak-associated molecular epidemiology investigations associated with the antibiotic resistance of the implicated pathogens;
  3. Molecular mechanisms of the antibiotic resistance of foodborne bacteria (e.g., horizontal transfer of antibiotic-resistance genes, whole-genome sequencing);
  4. Alternatives and development of a new generation of antibiotic agents against foodborne pathogens.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Kálmán Imre
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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
  • antibiotic susceptibility
  • molecular epidemiology investigations
  • new generation antibiotic agents
  • horizontal gene transfer
  • whole genome sequencing

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 1083 KiB  
Article
Microbial Contamination and Antibiotic Resistance in Marketed Food in Bangladesh: Current Situation and Possible Improvements
by Mohammed Abdus Samad, Linnea Eberson, Ruhena Begum, Mohammad Gazi Shah Alam, Faisol Talukdar, Rahima Akter, Sinh Dang-Xuan, Garima Sharma, Shariful Islam, Nure Alam Siddiky, ASM Ashab Uddin, Mohammad Asheak Mahmud, Md Samun Sarker, Md. Siddiqur Rahman, Delia Grace and Johanna F. Lindahl
Antibiotics 2023, 12(3), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030555 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4027
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health problem worldwide. Bangladesh, like its neighboring countries, faces many public health challenges, including access to safe food, inadequate food surveillance, as well as increasing AMR. This study investigated bacterial contamination and the AMR profile of pathogens [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health problem worldwide. Bangladesh, like its neighboring countries, faces many public health challenges, including access to safe food, inadequate food surveillance, as well as increasing AMR. This study investigated bacterial contamination and the AMR profile of pathogens in marketed food in Bangladesh and explored barriers to reducing AMR in the country. We collected 366 tomatoes, 359 chicken and 249 fish samples from 732 vendors in traditional markets in urban, peri-urban and rural areas in Bangladesh, as well as from 121 modern retails in Dhaka capital to analyse Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli in fish, Salmonella in chicken, and Salmonella and E. coli in tomatoes. Antibiotic susceptibility against 11 antibiotics was tested using a disc diffusion test and interpreted by an automated zone inhibition reader. In addition, a qualitative study using key informant interviews was conducted to explore antimicrobial use and AMR reduction potential in Bangladesh. We found E. coli in 14.21% of tomatoes and 26.91% of fish samples, while 7.38% of tomatoes and 17.27% of chicken were positive for Salmonella, and 44.98% of fish were positive for Vibrio cholerae. In total 231/319 (72.4%) of all pathogens isolated were multidrug-resistant (MDR) (resistant to three or more antibiotic groups). Qualitative interviews revealed an inadequate surveillance system for antibiotic use and AMR in Bangladesh, especially in the agriculture sector. To be able to fully understand the human health risks from bacterial hazards in the food and the AMR situation in Bangladesh, a nationwide study with a one health approach should be conducted, within all sectors, including AMR testing as well as assessment of the antimicrobial use and its drivers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food-Borne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance)
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9 pages, 303 KiB  
Article
Occurrence of Campylobacter spp. and Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Campylobacter jejuni in Slaughtered Broiler Chickens in North-Western Romania
by Sebastian Alexandru Popa, Adriana Morar, Alexandra Ban-Cucerzan, Emil Tîrziu, Viorel Herman, Khalid Ibrahim Sallam, Doru Morar, Ulaș Acaroz, Mirela Imre, Tijana Florea, Hamid Mukhtar and Kálmán Imre
Antibiotics 2022, 11(12), 1713; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11121713 - 28 Nov 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2666
Abstract
Campylobacteriosis is recognized as one of the most common food-borne zoonoses, with worldwide distribution, having undercooked poultry meat and other cross-contaminated foodstuffs as the main sources of human infections. The current study aimed to provide data on the occurrence of the thermophilic Campylobacter [...] Read more.
Campylobacteriosis is recognized as one of the most common food-borne zoonoses, with worldwide distribution, having undercooked poultry meat and other cross-contaminated foodstuffs as the main sources of human infections. The current study aimed to provide data on the occurrence of the thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in seven broiler chicken flocks, from three north-western Transylvanian counties of Romania, as well as to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolated C. jejuni strains. A total of 324 fresh cecal samples were collected during the slaughtering process, and screened for the presence of Campylobacter spp., using routine microbiological and molecular diagnostic tools. Overall, 85.2% (276/324; 95% CI 80.9–88.6) of the tested samples expressed positive results for Campylobacter spp., with dominant occurrence of C. coli towards C. jejuni (63.4% vs. 36.6%). From the six tested antimicrobials, the 101 isolated C. jejuni strains were resistant against ciprofloxacin (79.2%), nalidixic acid (78.2%), tetracycline (49.5%), and streptomycin (7.9%), but total susceptibility was noticed against erythromycin and gentamicin. Seven (6.9%) isolates exhibited multidrug resistance. The study results emphasize the role of broiler chicken as reservoir of Campylobacter infections for humans, as well as strengthen the necessity of the prudent using of antimicrobials in the poultry industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food-Borne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance)
8 pages, 264 KiB  
Article
Clostridioides difficile in Food-Producing Animals in Romania: First Study on the Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance
by Corina Beres, Liora Colobatiu, Alexandra Tabaran, Romolica Mihaiu, Cristian Iuhas and Marian Mihaiu
Antibiotics 2022, 11(9), 1194; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11091194 - 3 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1739
Abstract
At present, the epidemiology of the gastrointestinal disease caused by Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is starting to be slowly elucidated internationally, although information about the bacteria in the food supply chain is insufficient and, in many countries, even absent. The study [...] Read more.
At present, the epidemiology of the gastrointestinal disease caused by Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is starting to be slowly elucidated internationally, although information about the bacteria in the food supply chain is insufficient and, in many countries, even absent. The study was conducted in order to investigate the prevalence of C. difficile isolated from animal feces, as well as to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of such isolates. The presence of antibiotic resistance determinants has also been evaluated. Overall, a total of 24 (12.5%) C. difficile isolates were recovered (out of the 192 samples collected), the highest percentage of positive isolates being detected in the fecal samples collected from piglets (25%). The majority of the isolates recovered in the current study proved to be toxigenic. Moreover, all C. difficile isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, although a large proportion of the porcine isolates (50%) were resistant to levofloxacin. The tetW and erm(B) genes have also been identified in the porcine isolates. In conclusion, this is the first analysis of the prevalence of C. difficile in food-producing animals in Romania, and it adds further evidence about the possible role of animals as a source of resistant C. difficile strains and a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance determinants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food-Borne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance)
15 pages, 668 KiB  
Article
Prevalence, Antibiotic-Resistance, and Replicon-Typing of Salmonella Strains among Serovars Mainly Isolated from Food Chain in Marche Region, Italy
by Ilaria Russo, Daniela Bencardino, Maira Napoleoni, Francesca Andreoni, Giuditta Fiorella Schiavano, Giulia Baldelli, Giorgio Brandi and Giulia Amagliani
Antibiotics 2022, 11(6), 725; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11060725 - 28 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2547
Abstract
Nontyphoidal salmonellosis (NTS) is the second most commonly reported gastrointestinal infection in humans and an important cause of food-borne outbreaks in Europe. The use of antimicrobial agents for animals, plants, and food production contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strains that are [...] Read more.
Nontyphoidal salmonellosis (NTS) is the second most commonly reported gastrointestinal infection in humans and an important cause of food-borne outbreaks in Europe. The use of antimicrobial agents for animals, plants, and food production contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strains that are transmissible to humans through food. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and the potential dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella strains isolated in the Marche Region (Central Italy) via the food chain. Strains were isolated from different sources: food, human, food animal/livestock, and the food-processing environment. Among them, we selected MDR strains to perform their further characterization in terms of resistance to tetracycline agent, carriage of tet genes, and plasmid profiles. Tetracycline resistance genes were detected by PCR and plasmid replicons by PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT). A total of 102 MDR Salmonella strains were selected among the most prevalent serovars: S. Infantis (n = 36/102), S. Derby (n = 20/102), S. Typhimurium (n = 18/102), and a monophasic variant of S. Typhimurium (MVST, n = 28/102). Resistance to sulfisoxazole (86%) and tetracycline (81%) were the most common, followed by ampicillin (76%). FIIS was the most predominant replicon (17%), followed by FII (11%) and FIB (11%) belonging to the IncF incompatibility group. Concerning the characterization of tet genes, tetB was the most frequently detected (27/89), followed by tetA (10/89), tetG (5/89), and tetM (1/89). This study showed the potential risk associated with the MDR Salmonella strains circulating along the food chain. Hence, epidemiological surveillance supported by molecular typing could be a very useful tool to prevent transmission of resistant Salmonella from food to humans, in line with the One Health approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food-Borne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance)
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10 pages, 304 KiB  
Communication
Occurrence, Pathogenic Potential and Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli Isolated from Raw Milk Cheese Commercialized in Banat Region, Romania
by Kálmán Imre, Alexandra Ban-Cucerzan, Viorel Herman, Khalid Ibrahim Sallam, Romeo Teodor Cristina, Samir Mohammed Abd-Elghany, Doru Morar, Sebastian Alexandru Popa, Mirela Imre and Adriana Morar
Antibiotics 2022, 11(6), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11060721 - 27 May 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3159
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence, pathogenic potential and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli isolated from raw milk cheese, traditionally produced by farmers and marketed directly to the consumer in Banat region, Romania. A total of 81.1% [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence, pathogenic potential and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli isolated from raw milk cheese, traditionally produced by farmers and marketed directly to the consumer in Banat region, Romania. A total of 81.1% (43/53) of the processed samples expressed positive results for E. coli, with a distribution of 83.8% (31/37), and 75.0% (12/16) in the cow- and sheep-milk-origin assortments, respectively. Overall, 69.8% (30/43) of the specimens had a contamination level ≤10 CFU/g. Molecular tests showed that, from the total number of E. coli isolates, 9.3% (4/43) harbored the stx2, and 2.3% (1/43), the stx1 virulence genes. The E. coli O157 (including H7) biovariety was identified in 7% (3/43) of the samples by the Vidas equipment. From the 27 antimicrobials tested with the Vitek2 automated system, the E. coli isolates displayed resistance to enrofloxacin (100%, 15 out of 15 tested isolates), ampicillin (39.5%, 17/43), norfloxacin (28.6%, 8/28), fosfomycin (25%, 7/28), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (23.3%, 10/43), cefalexin (20%, 3/15), cefalotin (13.3%, 2/15), tetracycline (13.3%, 2/15), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (9.3%, 4/43), piperacillin-tazobactam (7.1%, 2/28), cefotaxime (7.1%, 2/28), cefepime (7.1%, 2/28), ticarcillin/clavulanic acid (6.7%, 1/15), florfenicol (6.7%, 1/15), ceftazidime (3.6%, 1/28), and ertapenem (3.6%, 1/28). Ten (23.3%) strains were multidrug-resistant. The obtained preliminary results indicated hygienic–sanitary deficiencies throughout the cheese production process, and demonstrated that these products can harbor virulent and multidrug-resistant E. coli strains, which constitute a public health risk. However, future investigations, processing a higher number of samples, are still necessary to draw comprehensive conclusions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food-Borne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance)
8 pages, 404 KiB  
Article
Pathogenic E. coli from Cattle as a Reservoir of Resistance Genes to Various Groups of Antibiotics
by Alexandra Tabaran, Virginie Soulageon, Flore Chirila, Oana Lucia Reget, Marian Mihaiu, Mihai Borzan and Sorin Daniel Dan
Antibiotics 2022, 11(3), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11030404 - 17 Mar 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3187
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance has become a worldwide concern in all public health domains and reducing the spread has become a global priority. Pathogenic E. coli is responsible for a number of illnesses in humans and outbreaks in the past have been correlated with the [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance has become a worldwide concern in all public health domains and reducing the spread has become a global priority. Pathogenic E. coli is responsible for a number of illnesses in humans and outbreaks in the past have been correlated with the consumption of contaminated bovine products. This is why surveillance in all the steps of production is essential. This study focused on identifying the pathogenic strains of E. coli in two large bovine abattoirs from Romania and France, and on associating them with the antimicrobial resistance patterns. A total of 250 samples from intestinal content were aseptically collected during the evisceration step of the cattle slaughtering process, from which 242 E. coli strains were isolated. Seventeen percent of all samples tested positive to at least one E. coli isolate carrying eaeA, stx1 and stx2 genes. The most prevalent genetic profile found in the E. coli strains tested was Stx1-positive and Stx2/eaeA-negative. More than 68% of the pathogenic E. coli isolated in Romania showed multi-drug resistance (MDR) and in France, the percentage was significantly lower (38%). The MDR profiles showed a high gene diversity for antibiotic resistance, which represents a great risk for environmental spread and human health. Our results indicate that in Romania, bovines can represent a reservoir for MDR E. coli and, hence, a surveillance system for antimicrobials usage in farm animals is highly needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food-Borne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance)
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