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Microorganisms
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Research on Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
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Research on Foodborne Pathogens and Disease

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2023) | Viewed by 11458

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Martina Srajer Gajdosik

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Interests: proteomics; foodborne pathogens; mechanisms of bacterial resistance; extracellular vesicles; cancerogenesis
Prof. Dr. Djuro Josic

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Medicine, University Juraj Dobrila of Pula, 52100 Pula, Croatia
Interests: proteomics; foodborne pathogens; mechanisms of bacterial resistance; extracellular vesicles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Foodborne pathogens, including pathogenic bacteria, viruses or parasites, pose a serious health risk worldwide, causing major economic losses. These pathogens contaminate food during production, processing, storage and transport. Additionally, some bacteria and fungi secrete harmful toxins, which can be resistant to harsh treatments during food processing. Due to novel nutritional trends, including consuming raw and fresh food, a significant increase in the occurrence of foodborne illnesses has been observed.

In this Special Issue, we aim to present recent advances in research concerning foodborne pathogens, the understanding of their molecular and microbiologic aspects, mechanisms of bacterial resistance to different agents, as well as biofilm formation and epidemiology. Additionally, to ensure food safety and prevent foodborne disease outbreaks, the development of novel methods for the microbiological detection and identification of foodborne pathogens is of great importance and, therefore, welcomed as a topic in this Special Issue, taking both original research papers and reviews into consideration for publication.

Prof. Dr. Martina Srajer Gajdosik
Prof. Dr. Djuro Josic
Guest Editors

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. Microorganisms 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 2700 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
  • foodborne illness
  • food safety
  • mechanisms of bacterial resistance
  • bacterial toxins
  • biofilm formation
  • detection and identification of foodborne pathogens

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 746 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Characteristics of Plasmid-Encoded Serine Protease EspP in Clinical Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Strains from Patients in Sweden
by Lei Wang, Ying Hua, Xiangning Bai, Ji Zhang, Sara Mernelius, Milan Chromek, Anne Frykman, Sverker Hansson and Andreas Matussek
Microorganisms 2024, 12(3), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12030589 - 15 Mar 2024
Viewed by 564
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection can cause a broad spectrum of symptoms spanning from asymptomatic shedding to mild and bloody diarrhea (BD) and even life-threatening hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). As a member of the serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATE) family, EspP has [...] Read more.
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection can cause a broad spectrum of symptoms spanning from asymptomatic shedding to mild and bloody diarrhea (BD) and even life-threatening hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). As a member of the serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATE) family, EspP has the ability to degrade human coagulation factor V, leading to mucosal bleeding, and also plays a role in bacteria adhesion to the surface of host cells. Here, we investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of espP among clinical STEC isolates from patients with mild diarrhea, BD, and HUS, as well as from asymptomatic individuals, and assessed the presence of espP and its subtypes in correlation to disease severity. We found that 130 out of 239 (54.4%) clinical STEC strains were espP positive, and the presence of espP was significantly associated with BD, HUS, and O157:H7 serotype. Eighteen unique espP genotypes (GTs) were identified and categorized into four espP subtypes, i.e., espPα (119, 91.5%), espPγ (5, 3.8%), espPδ (4, 3.1%), and espPε (2, 1.5%). espPα was widely distributed, especially in strains from patients with BD and HUS, and correlated with serotype O157:H7. Serogroup O26, O145, O121, and O103 strains carried espPα only. Ten GTs were identified in espPα, and espPα/GT2 was significantly associated with severe disease, i.e., BD and HUS. Additionally, espP was strongly linked to the presence of eae gene, and the coexistence of espPα and stx2/stx2a + stx2c was closely related to HUS status. To sum up, our data demonstrated a high prevalence and genetic diversity of the espP gene in clinical STEC strains in Sweden and revealed an association between the presence of espP, espP subtypes, and disease severity. espP, particularly the espPα subtype, was prone to be present in more virulent STEC strains, e.g., “top-six” serotypes strains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Foodborne Pathogens and Disease)
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16 pages, 5926 KiB  
Article
Genomic Features and Phylogenetic Analysis of Antimicrobial-Resistant Salmonella Mbandaka ST413 Strains
by Valdinete P. Benevides, Mauro M. S. Saraiva, Camila F. Nascimento, Enrique J. Delgado-Suárez, Celso J. B. Oliveira, Saura R. Silva, Vitor F. O. Miranda, Henrik Christensen, John E. Olsen and Angelo Berchieri Junior
Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020312 - 01 Feb 2024
Viewed by 934
Abstract
In recent years, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Mbandaka (S. Mbandaka) has been increasingly isolated from laying hens and shell eggs around the world. Moreover, this serovar has been identified as the causative agent of several salmonellosis outbreaks in humans. Surprisingly, little [...] Read more.
In recent years, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Mbandaka (S. Mbandaka) has been increasingly isolated from laying hens and shell eggs around the world. Moreover, this serovar has been identified as the causative agent of several salmonellosis outbreaks in humans. Surprisingly, little is known about the characteristics of this emerging serovar, and therefore, we investigated antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and prophage genes of six selected Brazilian strains of Salmonella Mbandaka using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). Multi-locus sequence typing revealed that the tested strains belong to Sequence Type 413 (ST413), which has been linked to recent multi-country salmonellosis outbreaks in Europe. A total of nine resistance genes were detected, and the most frequent ones were aac(6′)-Iaa, sul1, qacE, blaOXA-129, tet(B), and aadA1. A point mutation in ParC at the 57th position (threonine → serine) associated with quinolone resistance was present in all investigated genomes. A 112,960 bp IncHI2A plasmid was mapped in 4/6 strains. This plasmid harboured tetracycline (tetACDR) and mercury (mer) resistance genes, genes contributing to conjugative transfer, and genes involved in plasmid maintenance. Most strains (four/six) carried Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1). All S. Mbandaka genomes carried seven pathogenicity islands (SPIs) involved in intracellular survival and virulence: SPIs 1-5, 9, and C63PI. The virulence genes csgC, fimY, tcfA, sscA, (two/six), and ssaS (one/six) were absent in some of the genomes; conversely, fimA, prgH, and mgtC were present in all of them. Five Salmonella bacteriophage sequences (with homology to Escherichia phage phiV10, Enterobacteria phage Fels-2, Enterobacteria phage HK542, Enterobacteria phage ST64T, Salmonella phage SW9) were identified, with protein counts between 31 and 54, genome lengths of 24.7 bp and 47.7 bp, and average GC content of 51.25%. In the phylogenetic analysis, the genomes of strains isolated from poultry in Brazil clustered into well-supported clades with a heterogeneous distribution, primarily associated with strains isolated from humans and food. The phylogenetic relationship of Brazilian S. Mbandaka suggests the presence of strains with high epidemiological significance and the potential to be linked to foodborne outbreaks. Overall, our results show that isolated strains of S. Mbandaka are multidrug-resistant and encode a rather conserved virulence machinery, which is an epidemiological hallmark of Salmonella strains that have successfully disseminated both regionally and globally. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Foodborne Pathogens and Disease)
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14 pages, 3267 KiB  
Article
Microbiota Profiles of Hen Eggs from the Different Seasons and Different Sectors of Shanghai, China
by Haiyan Gong, Yingqing Ma, Min Wang, Yumeng Gu, Ruipeng Deng, Bo Deng, Dongsheng Feng, Yiyi Han, Rongsheng Mi, Yan Huang, Yan Zhang, Weiyi Zhang and Zhaoguo Chen
Microorganisms 2023, 11(10), 2519; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102519 - 09 Oct 2023
Viewed by 968
Abstract
Hen eggs are one of the most popular foods worldwide, and their safety is critical. Employing 16S rRNA full-length sequencing is an effective way to identify microorganisms on or in eggs. Here, hen eggs collected from poultry farms over four seasons, as well [...] Read more.
Hen eggs are one of the most popular foods worldwide, and their safety is critical. Employing 16S rRNA full-length sequencing is an effective way to identify microorganisms on or in eggs. Here, hen eggs collected from poultry farms over four seasons, as well as from markets in Shanghai, were analyzed with third-generation sequencing. Firmicutes (44.46%) and Proteobacteria (35.78%) were the two dominant phyla, and Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, Aerococcus, Psychrobacter, and Lactobacillus were the dominant genera. The dominant genera on the eggshell surfaces from the farms varied with the seasons, and the highest contamination of Staphylococcus (32.93%) was seen in the eggs collected during the summer. For the market samples, Pseudomonas was the most abundant in content, with Staphylococcus being the most-often genera found on the eggshell surfaces. Moreover, several potential pathogenic bacteria including Riemerella anatipestifer (species), Klebsiella (genus), and Escherichia/shigella (genus) were detected in the samples. The results revealed the impacts of weather on the microbiota deposited on an eggshell’s surface, as well as the impacts due to the differences between the contents and the surface. The results can help disinfect eggs and guide antibiotic selection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Foodborne Pathogens and Disease)
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16 pages, 2523 KiB  
Article
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli for Characterization and Outbreak Investigation
by Heather M. Blankenship, Stephen E. Dietrich, Elizabeth Burgess, Jason Wholehan, Marty Soehnlen and Shannon D. Manning
Microorganisms 2023, 11(5), 1298; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051298 - 16 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1507
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes high frequencies of foodborne infections worldwide and has been linked to numerous outbreaks each year. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) has been the gold standard for surveillance until the recent transition to whole-genome sequencing (WGS). To further understand [...] Read more.
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes high frequencies of foodborne infections worldwide and has been linked to numerous outbreaks each year. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) has been the gold standard for surveillance until the recent transition to whole-genome sequencing (WGS). To further understand the genetic diversity and relatedness of outbreak isolates, a retrospective analysis of 510 clinical STEC isolates was conducted. Among the 34 STEC serogroups represented, most (59.6%) belonged to the predominant six non-O157 serogroups. Core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis differentiated clusters of isolates with similar PFGE patterns and multilocus sequence types (STs). One serogroup O26 outbreak strain and another non-typeable (NT) strain, for instance, were identical by PFGE and clustered together by MLST; however, both were distantly related in the SNP analysis. In contrast, six outbreak-associated serogroup O5 strains clustered with five ST-175 serogroup O5 isolates, which were not part of the same outbreak as determined by PFGE. The use of high-quality SNP analyses enhanced the discrimination of these O5 outbreak strains into a single cluster. In all, this study demonstrates how public health laboratories can more rapidly use WGS and phylogenetics to identify related strains during outbreak investigations while simultaneously uncovering important genetic attributes that can inform treatment practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Foodborne Pathogens and Disease)
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12 pages, 848 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effect of Commonly Used Disinfectants on Salmonella Infantis Isolates
by Katja Bezek, Jana Avberšek, Olga Zorman Rojs and Darja Barlič-Maganja
Microorganisms 2023, 11(2), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11020301 - 23 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1697
Abstract
Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Infantis is the most prevalent serovar in broilers and broiler meat in the European Union. The aim of our study was to test the biofilm formation and antimicrobial effect of disinfectants on genetically characterized S. Infantis isolates from poultry, [...] Read more.
Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Infantis is the most prevalent serovar in broilers and broiler meat in the European Union. The aim of our study was to test the biofilm formation and antimicrobial effect of disinfectants on genetically characterized S. Infantis isolates from poultry, food, and humans. For the biofilm formation under various temperature conditions (8 °C, 20 °C, and 28 °C) and incubation times (72 h and 168 h), the crystal violet staining method was used. The evaluation of the in vitro antimicrobial effect of Ecocid® S, ethanol, and hydrogen peroxide was determined using the broth microdilution method. The antibiofilm effect of subinhibitory concentration (1/8 MIC) of disinfectants was then tested on S. Infantis 323/19 strain that had the highest biofilm formation potential. Our results showed that the biofilm formation was strain-specific; however, it was higher at 20 °C and prolonged incubation time. Moreover, strains carrying a pESI plasmid showed higher biofilm formation potential. The antibiofilm potential of disinfectants on S. Infantis 323/19 strain at 20 °C was effective after a shorter incubation time. As shown in our study, more effective precautionary measures should be implemented to ensure biofilm prevention and removal in order to control the S. Infantis occurrence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Foodborne Pathogens and Disease)
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Review

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25 pages, 456 KiB  
Review
The Silent Threat: Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens in Food-Producing Animals and Their Impact on Public Health
by Ayidh M. Almansour, Meshari A. Alhadlaq, Khaloud O. Alzahrani, Lenah E. Mukhtar, Abdulmohsen L. Alharbi and Sulaiman M. Alajel
Microorganisms 2023, 11(9), 2127; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092127 - 22 Aug 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2672
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health problem without geographic boundaries. This increases the risk of complications and, thus, makes it harder to treat infections, which can result in higher healthcare costs and a greater number of deaths. Antimicrobials are [...] Read more.
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health problem without geographic boundaries. This increases the risk of complications and, thus, makes it harder to treat infections, which can result in higher healthcare costs and a greater number of deaths. Antimicrobials are often used to treat infections from pathogens in food-producing animals, making them a potential source of AMR. Overuse and misuse of these drugs in animal agriculture can lead to the development of AMR bacteria, which can then be transmitted to humans through contaminated food or direct contact. It is therefore essential to take multifaceted, comprehensive, and integrated measures, following the One Health approach. To address this issue, many countries have implemented regulations to limit antimicrobial use. To our knowledge, there are previous studies based on AMR in food-producing animals; however, this paper adds novelty related to the AMR pathogens in livestock, as we include the recent publications of this field worldwide. In this work, we aim to describe the most critical and high-risk AMR pathogens among food-producing animals, as a worldwide health problem. We also focus on the dissemination of AMR genes in livestock, as well as its consequences in animals and humans, and future strategies to tackle this threat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Foodborne Pathogens and Disease)

Other

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12 pages, 601 KiB  
Systematic Review
Giardia duodenalis Styles, 1902 Prevalence in Cattle (Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758) in Europe: A Systematic Review
by Maira Mateusa, Zanda Ozoliņa, Margarita Terentjeva and Gunita Deksne
Microorganisms 2023, 11(2), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11020309 - 24 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1788
Abstract
Giardia duodenalis Styles, 1902 is an infectious agent which can cause enteritic disease in cattle (Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758) worldwide. As a zoonotic protozoan, it is important to acknowledge Giardia prevalence and assemblages found in cattle and risk factors associated with the [...] Read more.
Giardia duodenalis Styles, 1902 is an infectious agent which can cause enteritic disease in cattle (Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758) worldwide. As a zoonotic protozoan, it is important to acknowledge Giardia prevalence and assemblages found in cattle and risk factors associated with the Giardia infection in herds. This systematic review aims to estimate the prevalence of G. duodenalis and its assemblages in cattle and to identify the risk factors associated with Giardia infection in cattle in Europe. A systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to collect information from published studies in Europe. A total of 1414 studies were identified and 17 relevant studies were included in this review. Mean Giardia prevalence in cattle in Europe was 35.1%, with the highest prevalence found in neonatal animals (39.6%), but mean heard prevalence was 67.0%. Mixed infections of Giardia assemblages A and E were found most frequently (55.6%), while assemblages A and B were found more frequently in animals under 24 months old. Risk factors, such as deep litter with run-out, prolonged calf contact with the dam, and seasonality, such as winter and spring, were found to be potential risk factors for Giardia presence in the herds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Foodborne Pathogens and Disease)
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