DETECTION OF Toxoplasma gondii CYSTS FROM WILD BOAR MUSCLES: DOES IT REPRESENT A RISK FOR READY TO EAT FOOD?

Toxoplasma gondii infection is a parasitological antropozoonoses widely distributed in the world. Toxoplasmosis is mainly followed by serious disease in fetuses and immunocompromised people. Wild boars represent an important source for this parasite and evisceration, handling and consumption of raw or undercooked meat are important risk factors. The study confirms the presence of potentially infectious cysts in wild boars muscles, detected by histological and biomolecular methods

Food-Borne Viruses in Shellfish: Investigation on Norovirus and HAV Presence in Apulia (SE Italy)

Shellfish are an important vehicle for transmission of food-borne pathogens including norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV). The risks related with consumption of shellfish are greater if these products are eaten raw or slightly cooked. As molluscs are filter-feeding organisms, they are able to concentrate pathogens dispersed in the water. Data on shellfish viral contamination are therefore useful to obtain a background information on the presence of contamination in the environment, chiefly in shellfish production areas and to generate a picture of the epidemiology of viral pathogens in local populations. From January 2013 to July 2015, 253 samples of bivalve molluscs collected in harvesting areas from a large coastal tract (860 km) of Southern Italy were screened for HAV and NoV of genogroups GI and GII, using real-time reverse transcription qualitative PCR. The RNA of HAV was not detected in any of the analyzed samples. In contrast, the RNA of NoV was identified in 14.2% of the samples with a higher prevalence of NoVs of genogroup GII (12.2%) than genogroup GI (1.6%). Upon sequence analysis of a short diagnostic region located in capsid region, the NoV strains were characterized as GII.2, GII.4 Sydney 2012, GII.6, GII.13, GI.4, and GI.6, all which were circulating in local populations in the same time span. These data confirm that consumption of mussels can expose consumers to relevant risks of infection. Also, matching between the NoV genotypes circulating in local population and detected in molluscs confirms the diffusion in the environment of NoVs

First Report of Hepatitis E Virus in Shellfish in Southeast Italy

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) represents one of the principal causative agents of hepatitis globally. Among the five HEV genotypes affecting humans, genotypes 3 and 4 are zoonotic and are the main source of hepatitis E in developed countries. HEV has been detected in several foods. The present work investigated the presence of this virus in shellfish sold at retail in the Apulia region of Italy. The presence of HEV RNA was assessed by real-time RT-PCR in 225 shellfish samples collected during 2018. Overall, two (0.89%) of these samples tested positive for HEV RNA. To our knowledge, this is the first notification of the detection of HEV in mussels sold at retail in the Apulia region. These data highlight the potential role of shellfish as a vehicle for the transmission of viral pathogens

Occurrence of mislabelling in prepared fishery products in Southern Italy

Fish authentication is a major concern not only for the prevention of commercial fraud, but also for the assessment of safety risks deriving from the undeclared introduction of potentially dangerous toxic or allergenic substances or environmentally damaging fish where endangered species are involved. Moreover, food authentication might affect the diet of certain groups of consumers, such as followers of religious practices. Considering the authentication of fish products is one of the key issues in food safety, quality and sustainability, the aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence of mislabelling in sole (Solea solea), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), and hake (Merluccius merluccius) fillets from markets and supermarkets located in Apulia (Southern Italy) using DNA barcoding. The results of the molecular investigations reveal that 42/98 (42.8%) fillet samples were not correctly labelled. In particular, 12/27 (44.4%) fillets of sole (Solea solea) were identified as belonging to Solea senegalensis. In addition, 13/28 (46.4%) plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) samples were identified as Pangasius hypophtalmus. All Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) samples were correctly labelled. Post-sequencing data analysis revealed that 17/30 (56.6%) hake fillets (Merluccius merluccius) were not correctly labelled, of which 8/30 samples identified as Merluccius hubbsi, 5/30 samples as Merluccius products and 4/30 as Merluccius capensis. The study reveals a high occurrence of species mislabelling in the prepared fish fillet products, further evidence of the need for increased traceability and assessment of the authenticity of food products

2.14. Virus a trasmissione alimentare

Progetto editoriale per la realizzazione di un testo che interpreta e soddisfa l'esigenze didattiche e formative degli insegnamenti di Igiene e tecnolgie degli alimenti svolti nei corsi di laurea di Medicina Veterinaria, Scienze Agrarie, Scienze e tecnologie alimentari, Scienze e tecnologie delle produzioni animali etc. Il testo è strutturato in una parte generale, riguardante i concetti di igiene dei processi nelle imprese alimentari e in una parte speciale nella quale l'igiene e le tecnologie sono trattate in riferimento alle specifiche filiere degli alimenti di origine animale

Comparison between thiosulphate-citrate-bile salt sucrose (TCBS) agar and CHROMagar Vibrio

Considering its widespread distribution in marine environments, its fast replication times and low infectious doses and the rapid spread of its strains in recent years, intensive and continuous monitoring of potentially pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus is strongly recommended in order to assess the human health risk arising from shellfish consumption. The lack of epidemiological data points to the need to develop specific methods for detectingV. parahaemolyticus. In this note, the authors compare two platingmedia currently available for isolating V. parahaemolyticus in shellfish. Both approaches involve pre-enrichment of V. parahaemolyticus. One uses thiosulphate-citrate-bile salt sucrose (TCBS) as the isolation medium, while the other uses a chromogenic medium (CHROMagar Vibrio). Next, biochemical identification of isolates was performed with API 20E, followed by PCR assay aimed at the toxR gene to confirm the cultural and biochemical identification. Comparison of the two methods highlighted that CHRO-Magar Vibrio is more accurate and specific than TCBS. The analysis of data from 160 shellfish samples showed an accuracy and specificity of just 51% and 71% for TCBS compared with 88% and 95% for CA

Detection of potentially pathogenic Aeromonas isolates from Ready To Eat seafood products by PCR analysis

This study provides data on the prevalence of potentially pathogenic Aeromonas spp. in ready-to-eat (RTE) seafood products by evaluating the occurrence of Aeromonas spp. and the presence of virulence-associated genes. Aeromonas spp. was detected in 57 ⁄ 81 (70.3%) RTE seafood samples. Specifically, Aeromonas spp. was highlighted in 19 ⁄ 21 (90.5%) sushi, in 18 ⁄ 21 (85.7%) sea salad, 11 ⁄ 12 (91.7%) surimi and 9 ⁄ 12 (75%) peeled shrimp samples. Aeromonas spp. was not observed in marinated anchovies and octopus salad samples. Then, PCRs aimed at the hlyA, aerA, alt and ast genes, encoding, respectively, haemolysin A, aerolysin, aeromonas labile temperature cytotonic enterotoxin and aeromonas stable temperature cytotonic entero- toxin, demonstrated a widespread distribution of these genes among Aeromonas isolates. The results underline the need to implement an adequate control plan performing an intensive and continuous monitoring to guarantee the human health