Dispersal and molecular characterisation of the Echinococcus granulosus (Batsch, 1786) complex isolated from various intermediate hosts in the Calabria region, southern Italy

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Presence of Mycobacterium bovis in slaughterhouses and risks for workers

An investigation was carried out to detect the presence of Mycobacterium bovis in slaughterhouses where intradermal tuberculin test positive cattle were slaughtered, and to evaluate the risk of contamination by M. bovis among exposed slaughterhouse workers. Swabs were taken from the carcasses of slaughtered animals showing autoptic signs of non-generalized forms of tuberculosis, thus authorized for free consumption. Swabs were also taken from the hands and clothes of the staff employed in the butchery production line. Environmental samplings were conducted on the slaughterhouse air using filters and air aspiration devices, and on water used to wash the carcasses after slaughter. Samples from the carcasses of healthy animals were also taken on a following slaughtering session. The swabs were analysed by means of Polymerase Chain Reaction for the detection of mycobacteria. M. bovis was detected on meats, on the hands of one worker, and in the washing water. The results obtained from this study confirm that workers are highly exposed to infection by zoonotic tuberculosis, and that cleaning procedures were ineffective in our setting

Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance profile of isolates causing clinical mastitis in dairy animals

Mastitis is the most frequent and costly disease of lactating animals and is associated with a significant reduction in milk yield, increased cost and culling. Early and specific antibiotic based treatment reduces the severity of the disease. Over the years the extensive use of antimicrobials has led to increase antimicrobial resistance. The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of microorganisms responsible for mastitis and their antimicrobial resistance pattern. A total of 282 milk samples were collected from different animal species (sheep, cows and goats) with clinical mastitis. Antimicrobial resistance was evaluated for Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. In cow samples Streptococcus spp. represented the most frequently isolated genus (33.84%), while Staphylococcus spp. was the most prevalent genus in sheep and goat samples (44.4 and 73.86%, respectively). Gentamicin and chloramphenicol were found to be the most effective drugs against the tested isolates, while the highest resistance rates were observed for amoxicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

Abnormal Colorations of Mozzarella Cheese Caused by Phoma glomerata (Corda) Wollenw & Hochapfel

This paper describes an unusual type of abnormal coloration caused by the fungal species Phoma glomerata (P. glomerata) detected in samples of commercially available mozzarella cheese produced from cow’s milk. The presence of this fungus in dairy and cheese products has already been reported by other authors, along with other fungal contaminants; however, it has never been associated to specific alterations of cheeses. This is the first report of a macroscopic alteration of a soft cheese due to P. glomerata. Mozzarella cheese from four packages (two sealed and two already opened, three of which with evident macroscopic alterations) was analyzed by means of ISO methods for the detection of the main bacterial and fungal contaminants of cheese products. Culture tests carried out according to the ISO 21527-1:2008 method revealed presence of P. glomerata (from 1,100 CFU/g to 45,000 CFU/g). In addition, in both the previously opened packages, Acremonium spp. (100 CFU/g), Alternaria spp. (100 CFU/g), Pseudomonas fluorescens (25,000 CFU/g) and Pseudomonas putida (2,400 CFU/g) were also isolated. In sample N°4, contamination by P. glomerata was present, but in the absence of macroscopic changes. These results show that P. glomerata is able to contaminate mozzarella cheese, causing macroscopically visible alterations of the product; this may have serious consequences in terms of sales. With regard to the possible effects on human health, further studies are needed in order to assess the toxic effect of the fungus. As a result of the episode described, the Italian health authorities issued a RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) early warning notice, a key E.U. tool to ensure the cross-border flow of information in order to react swiftly when risks to public health are detected in the food chain

Microbiological stability of canned tuna produced in Italy and in non-European countries

The results of a study on the microbiological stability of canned tuna produced by Italian companies and similar canned products manufactured in countries outside Europe are reported herein. The study involved 38 samples of canned tuna of various brands, of which 14 were produced by companies outside Europe and 24 by Italian companies. Qualitative and quantitative microbiological tests were conducted for the following parameters: bacterial colony counts at 30°C, total coliforms, total Enterobacteriaceae, sulphite-reducing anaerobes, Salmonella spp., Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, yeasts and molds. Bacterial loads and mold contamination were respectivelyin found in 8/14 (57%) samples from outside EU and 7/24 (29%) Italian samples. The bacterial flora was represented by Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus warneri, Staphylococcus lentus, Streptococcus mitis, Enterococcus faecalis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides), Gram-negative bacteria (Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Acinetobacter iwoffii, Rhizobium radiobacter), spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus vallismortis), while the fungal species was represented by Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp., Rhodotorula spp. and Alternaria spp. Excluding anomalies in the thermal treatment process of products and any contamination after treatment, the contaminations encountered in both cases were most likely due to insufficient production quality standards and the quality of the raw material used. These results may require a redefinition of the concept of commercial stability as hitherto stated

Microbiological quality and safety of Skipjack tuna loins (Katsuwonus Pelamis) intented for canning

Tuna is a food widely consumed fresh and canned as well. After catching and filleting, a pre-cooking step is normally followed by freezing and shipping to canning industry as loins. The aim of this paper was to assess the microbiological quality and safety of tuna loins (50 samples) imported by an Italian canned tuna producer from two different FAO fishing areas. Total bacterial count (TBC), Coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholera, pH measurement, S. aureus enterotoxin and histamine levels were evaluated. Significant differences were evidenced for TBC, Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli, Coliforms and pH between fishing areas. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in all the samples tested at 1 to 3 Log cfu/g; Staphylococcus warneri, S. saprophyticus, S. epidermidis, S. hominis, S. intermedius, S. vitulinus and S. sciuri were also identified. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholera and Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin were not detected. Histamine ranged between 0 to 5 mg/kg. The tuna loins analysed in this paper have to be considered safe; staphylococci presence represents a possible concern and has to been taken in account when risk analysis is carried out

Microbial quality evaluation of grated cheese samples collected at retail level in Calabria (Italy)

To evaluate the microbial quality of grated cheese sold in Southern Italy, a total of 47 samples were collected at retail. Enumeration of fungi performed by culture reveled concentration ranging between 1 and 5.56 Log10 CFU/g and between 1 and 4 Log10 CFU/g for yeasts and molds, respectively. Selected mold colonies (n = 95) available from 31 samples (65.96%) were further identified. In total, 27 different mold species were recorded. The top five strains were in descending order as follows: Moniliella suaveolens (21.05%, n = 20), Geotrichum candidum (9.47%, n = 9), Penicillium brevicompactum (7.36%, n = 7), Cladosporium cladosporioides (6.31%, n = 6) and Gliocladium album (5.26%, n = 5). Regarding bacterial growth, Staphylococcal cells were available from 19 out of 47 (40.42%) collected samples with a range from 1.30 to 5.15 Log10 CFU/g. Staphylococcus aureus-like colonies were not detected and similarly, pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes Salmonella and Escherichia coli was not isolated while two colonies were identified as Listeria innocua. To prevent any potential contamination and growth of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in dairy products including grated cheeses high hygiene standards need to be considered