Microorganisms

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10 pages, 257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combining Whole Genome Sequencing Data from Human and Non-Human Sources: Tackling Listeria monocytogenes Outbreaks

by Ingrid H. M. Friesema, Charlotte C. Verbart, Menno van der Voort, Joost Stassen, Maren I. Lanzl, Coen van der Weijden, Ife A. Slegers-Fitz-James and Eelco Franz

Microorganisms 2023, 11(11), 2617; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11112617 - 24 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1179

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is ubiquitous in nature and known for its ability to contaminate foods during production processes. Near real-time monitoring of whole genome sequences from food and human isolates, complemented with epidemiological data, has been used in the Netherlands since [...] Read more.

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is ubiquitous in nature and known for its ability to contaminate foods during production processes. Near real-time monitoring of whole genome sequences from food and human isolates, complemented with epidemiological data, has been used in the Netherlands since 2019 to increase the speed and success rate of source finding in the case of (active) clusters. Nine clusters with 4 to 19 human cases investigated between January 2019 and May 2023 are described. Fish production sites were most often linked to outbreaks of listeriosis (six clusters), though other types of food businesses can face similar Lm problems, as the production processes and procedures determine risk. The results showed that low levels of Lm in food samples can still be linked to disease. Therefore, the investigation of a cluster of cases and deployment of the precautionary principle helps to focus on safe food and to prevent further cases. Good practice of environmental monitoring within a food business allows early detection of potential issues with food safety and helps food businesses to take appropriate measures such as cleaning to prevent regrowth of Lm and thus future outbreaks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring and Epidemiology of Foodborne Pathogens and Zoonoses)

17 pages, 1520 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Inactivation of Hepatitis E Virus in Pork Products Estimated with a Semiquantitative Infectivity Assay

by Melissa Stunnenberg, Suzanne C. van Huizen, Arno Swart, Willemijn J. Lodder, Ingeborg L. A. Boxman and Saskia A. Rutjes

Microorganisms 2023, 11(10), 2451; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102451 - 29 Sep 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1173

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV-3) is a food-borne pathogen causative of hepatitis E infections in humans. In Europe, HEV-3 is mainly transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked pork. In order to determine the effectiveness of control measures that can be [...] Read more.

Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV-3) is a food-borne pathogen causative of hepatitis E infections in humans. In Europe, HEV-3 is mainly transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked pork. In order to determine the effectiveness of control measures that can be taken in the industry or by the consumer, it is pivotal to determine the infectivity of HEV present in pork products after thermal food-processing steps. First, we implemented a method for the detection of infectious HEV-3c and HEV-3e in a cell culture medium and in extracts from inoculated pork products. Next, we investigated the effect of the thermal inactivation of HEV by mimicking food-processing steps specific for dried sausage and liver homogenate matrices. After four weeks, HEV-inoculated dried sausage subjected to 21 °C or lower temperatures was still infectious. For the liver homogenate, the highest HEV-3c/e inactivation of the conditions tested was observed at 71 °C for five min or longer. Finally, our method was able to successfully detect and estimate viral loads of infectious HEV in naturally infected pig livers. Our data provide a basis for the future use of the quantitative microbial risk assessment of infectious HEV in pork products that are subjected to thermal food processing steps. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring and Epidemiology of Foodborne Pathogens and Zoonoses)

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12 pages, 994 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Wastewater Surveillance to Monitor Gastrointestinal Pathogen Infections in the State of Oklahoma

by Katrin Gaardbo Kuhn, Rishabh Shukla, Mike Mannell, Grant M. Graves, A. Caitlin Miller, Jason Vogel, Kimberly Malloy, Gargi Deshpande, Gabriel Florea, Kristen Shelton, Erin Jeffries, Kara B. De León and Bradley Stevenson

Microorganisms 2023, 11(9), 2193; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092193 - 30 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1266

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater surveillance was widely used to monitor temporal and geographical infection trends. Using this as a foundation, a statewide program for routine wastewater monitoring of gastrointestinal pathogens was established in Oklahoma. The results from 18 months of surveillance showed [...] Read more.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater surveillance was widely used to monitor temporal and geographical infection trends. Using this as a foundation, a statewide program for routine wastewater monitoring of gastrointestinal pathogens was established in Oklahoma. The results from 18 months of surveillance showed that wastewater concentrations of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and norovirus exhibit similar seasonal patterns to those observed in reported human cases (F = 4–29, p < 0.05) and that wastewater can serve as an early warning tool for increases in cases, offering between one- and two-weeks lead time. Approximately one third of outbreak alerts in wastewater correlated in time with confirmed outbreaks of Salmonella or Campylobacter and our results further indicated that several outbreaks are likely to go undetected through the traditional surveillance approach currently in place. Better understanding of the true distribution and burden of gastrointestinal infections ultimately facilitates better disease prevention and control and reduces the overall socioeconomic and healthcare related impact of these pathogens. In this respect, wastewater represents a unique opportunity for monitoring infections in real-time, without the need for individual human testing. With increasing demands for sustainable and low-cost disease surveillance, the usefulness of wastewater as a long-term method for tracking infectious disease transmission is likely to become even more pronounced. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring and Epidemiology of Foodborne Pathogens and Zoonoses)

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