Detection of five Shiga toxin-producing \u3ci\u3eEscherichia coli\u3c/i\u3e genes with multiplex PCR

Escherichia coli serogroup O157 is the pathogen most commonly associated with foodborne disease outbreaks, but epidemiological studies suggest that non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is a major player as well. The ten most clinically relevant STECs belong to serogroups O26, O103, O111, O145, O157, O91, O113, O128, O45, and O121; but emerging strains, such as O104:H4 that was identified with the 2011 German outbreak, could become more prevalent in the future. A 75-min conventional multiplex PCR assay, IS-5P, targeting the four virulence factors stx1, stx2, eae, and ehxA plus the O157:H7- specific +93 uidA single nucleotide polymorphism was developed to better assess the potential pathogenicity of STEC isolates. All 212 STEC DNAs showed one to five amplification products, while the non- E. coli DNA did not react to this multiplex PCR assay. Enrichment broths obtained from baby spinach, alfalfa sprouts, and cilantro artificially inoculated with O26, O103, and O121 STECs reacted positively to the multiplex assay. Unlike the current FDA BAM 5P PCR, designed for the specific detection of O157:H7, IS-5P will identify potentially harmful O157:H7 and non-O157 STECs so they can be removed from the nation’s food supply

Detection of five Shiga toxin-producing \u3ci\u3eEscherichia coli\u3c/i\u3e genes with multiplex PCR

Escherichia coli serogroup O157 is the pathogen most commonly associated with foodborne disease outbreaks, but epidemiological studies suggest that non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is a major player as well. The ten most clinically relevant STECs belong to serogroups O26, O103, O111, O145, O157, O91, O113, O128, O45, and O121; but emerging strains, such as O104:H4 that was identified with the 2011 German outbreak, could become more prevalent in the future. A 75-min conventional multiplex PCR assay, IS-5P, targeting the four virulence factors stx1, stx2, eae, and ehxA plus the O157:H7- specific +93 uidA single nucleotide polymorphism was developed to better assess the potential pathogenicity of STEC isolates. All 212 STEC DNAs showed one to five amplification products, while the non- E. coli DNA did not react to this multiplex PCR assay. Enrichment broths obtained from baby spinach, alfalfa sprouts, and cilantro artificially inoculated with O26, O103, and O121 STECs reacted positively to the multiplex assay. Unlike the current FDA BAM 5P PCR, designed for the specific detection of O157:H7, IS-5P will identify potentially harmful O157:H7 and non-O157 STECs so they can be removed from the nation’s food supply

Characterization of microflora in Latin-style cheeses by next-generation sequencing technology

Background Cheese contamination can occur at numerous stages in the manufacturing process including the use of improperly pasteurized or raw milk. Of concern is the potential contamination by Listeria monocytogenes and other pathogenic bacteria that find the high moisture levels and moderate pH of popular Latin-style cheeses like queso fresco a hospitable environment. In the investigation of a foodborne outbreak, samples typically undergo enrichment in broth for 24 hours followed by selective agar plating to isolate bacterial colonies for confirmatory testing. The broth enrichment step may also enable background microflora to proliferate, which can confound subsequent analysis if not inhibited by effective broth or agar additives. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to provide a preliminary survey of bacterial species associated with three brands of Latin-style cheeses after 24-hour broth enrichment. Results Brand A showed a greater diversity than the other two cheese brands (Brands B and C) at nearly every taxonomic level except phylum. Brand B showed the least diversity and was dominated by a single bacterial taxon, Exiguobacterium, not previously reported in cheese. This genus was also found in Brand C, although Lactococcus was prominent, an expected finding since this bacteria belongs to the group of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) commonly found in fermented foods. Conclusions The contrasting diversity observed in Latin-style cheese was surprising, demonstrating that despite similarity of cheese type, raw materials and cheese making conditions appear to play a critical role in the microflora composition of the final product. The high bacterial diversity associated with Brand A suggests it may have been prepared with raw materials of high bacterial diversity or influenced by the ecology of the processing environment. Additionally, the presence ofExiguobacterium in high proportions (96%) in Brand B and, to a lesser extent, Brand C (46%), may have been influenced by the enrichment process. This study is the first to define Latin-style cheese microflora using Next-Generation Sequencing. These valuable preliminary data will direct selective tailoring of agar formulations to improve culture-based detection of pathogens in Latin-style cheese

Interactions of E. coli with algae and aquatic vegetation in natural waters

Both algae and bacteria are essential inhabitants of surface waters. Their presence is of ecological significance and sometimes of public health concern triggering various control actions. Interactions of microalgae, macro algae, submerged aquatic vegetation, and bacteria appear to be important phenomena necessitating a deeper understanding by those involved in research and management of microbial water quality. Given the longstanding reliance on Escherichia coli as an indicator of the potential presence of pathogens in natural waters, understanding its biology in aquatic systems is necessary. The major effects of algae and aquatic vegetation on E. coli growth and survival, including changes in the nutrient supply, modification of water properties and constituents, impact on sunlight radiation penetration, survival as related to substrate attachment, algal mediation of secondary habitats, and survival inhibition due to the release of toxic substances and antibiotics, are discussed in this review. An examination of horizontal gene transfer and antibiotic resistance potential, strain specific interactions, effects on the microbial, microalgae, and grazer community structure, and hydrodynamic controls is given. Outlooks due to existing and expected consequences of climate change and advances in observation technologies via high-resolution satellite imaging, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and mathematical modeling are additionally covered. The multiplicity of interactions among bacteria, algae, and aquatic vegetation as well as multifaceted impacts of these interactions, create a wide spectrum of research opportunities and technology developments

Prevalence of Hemolysin Genes and Comparison of \u3ci\u3eehxA\u3c/i\u3e Subtype Patterns in Shiga Toxin-Producing \u3ci\u3eEscherichia coli\u3c/i\u3e (STEC) and Non- STEC Strains from Clinical, Food, and Animal Sources

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) belonging to certain serogroups (e.g., O157 and O26) can cause serious conditions like hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), but other strains might be equally pathogenic. While virulence factors, like stx and eae, have been well studied, little is known about the prevalence of the E. coli hemolysin genes (hlyA, ehxA, e-hlyA, and sheA) in association with these factors. Hemolysins are potential virulence factors, and ehxA and hlyA have been associated with human illness, but the significance of sheA is unknown. Hence, 435 E. coli strains belonging to 62 different O serogroups were characterized to investigate gene presence and phenotypic expression of hemolysis. We further investigated ehxA subtype patterns in E. coli isolates from clinical, animal, and food sources. While sheA and ehxA were widely distributed, e-hlyA and hlyA were rarely found. Most strains (86.7%) were hemolytic, and significantly more hemolytic (95%) than nonhemolytic strains (49%) carried stx and/or eae (P\u3c0.0001). ehxA subtyping, as performed by using PCR in combination with restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, resulted in six closely related subtypes (\u3e94.2%), with subtypes A/D being eae-negative STECs and subtypes B, C, E, and F eae positive. Unexpectedly, ehxA subtype patterns differed significantly between isolates collected from different sources (P\u3c0.0001), suggesting that simple linear models of exposure and transmission need modification; animal isolates carried mostly subtypes A/C (39.3%/42.9%), food isolates carried mainly subtype A (81.9%), and clinical isolates carried mainly subtype C (66.4%). Certain O serogroups correlated with particular ehxA subtypes: subtype A with O104, O113, and O8; B exclusively with O157; C with O26, O111, and O121