A survey of Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and antimicrobial resistance in frozen, part-cooked, breaded, or battered chicken products on retail sale in the UK.

AIM: Frozen, breaded chicken products have been implicated in Salmonella outbreaks, and may be incorrectly perceived as ready-to-eat, leading to mishandling or undercooking by consumers. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Salmonella and antimicrobial resistant (AMR) Escherichia coli in these products. METHODS AND RESULTS: Samples of frozen, raw, or partly cooked, coated chicken products were collected between April and July 2021 from retailers in the UK and tested for Salmonella spp., generic E. coli, extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing, colistin-resistant, and carbapenem-resistant E. coli. One isolate of each bacterial type from each sample was selected for minimum inhibitory concentration determination for a range of antimicrobials. Salmonella was detected in 5 of 310 (1.6%) samples, identified as Salmonella Infantis in three samples and Salm. Java in two. One Salm. Infantis isolate was multidrug resistant, while the other Salmonella isolates were each resistant to at least one class of antimicrobials. Generic E. coli were detected in 113 samples (36.4%), with multidrug resistance being demonstrated in 20.0% of these. Escherichia coli with the ESBL phenotype were detected in 15 (4.8%) of samples and the AmpC phenotype in 2 (0.6%). A colistin-resistant E. coli was isolated from one sample; this possessed the mcr-1 gene. No carbapenem-resistant E. coli were detected. The five Salmonella-positive samples from this study, together with 20 Salmonella-positive products from an earlier study in 2020/2021, were cooked according to the manufacturers' instructions. Following cooking, Salmonella was not detected in any samples. CONCLUSIONS: This survey demonstrates continued contamination of frozen, coated chicken products with Salmonella, and provides data on the prevalence of AMR in these products.

Whole genome sequencing reveals antimicrobial resistance determinants (AMR genes) of Salmonella enterica recovered from raw chicken and ready-to-eat leaves imported into England between 2014 and 2019.

AIMS: To compare the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in a genetically diverse group of Salmonella enterica recovered from foods imported into England between 2014 and 2018. METHODS AND RESULTS: Whole genome sequence was used to detect AMR genes or chromosomal mutations associated with AMR in Salmonella recovered from edible leaves imported from Asia (n = 115) as compared to Salmonella (n = 231) isolated from raw chicken, 74% originated from South America. Among isolates from edible leaves, three (3%) showed resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent, two (2%) of which were multidrug resistant (MDR, resistance to three or more antimicrobial classes). Resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent was detected in 214 (93%) in the chicken isolates, with 164 (71%) showing MDR. Genetic diversity and AMR profiles were highly heterogeneous across the different serovars. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance was rare among the Salmonella isolates from edible leaves but common (including MDR) among those from raw chicken. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Surveillance of AMR in imported foods is essential for monitoring the risk of transmission of resistance from the food chain to humans and provides added public health value to pre-existing controls of the food chain.

A cluster of Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 highlights raw pet food as an emerging potential source of infection in humans.

In August 2017, a cluster of four persons infected with genetically related strains of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 was identified. These strains possessed the Shiga toxin (stx) subtype stx2a, a toxin type known to be associated with severe clinical outcome. One person died after developing haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Interviews with cases revealed that three of the cases had been exposed to dogs fed on a raw meat-based diet (RMBD), specifically tripe. In two cases, the tripe had been purchased from the same supplier. Sampling and microbiological screening of raw pet food was undertaken and indicated the presence of STEC in the products. STEC was isolated from one sample of raw tripe but was different from the strain causing illness in humans. Nevertheless, the detection of STEC in the tripe provided evidence that raw pet food was a potential source of human STEC infection during this outbreak. This adds to the evidence of raw pet food as a risk factor for zoonotic transmission of gastrointestinal pathogens, which is widely accepted for Salmonella, Listeria and Campylobacter spp. Feeding RMBD to companion animals has recently increased in popularity due to the belief that they provide health benefits to animals. Although still rare, an increase in STEC cases reporting exposure to RMBDs was detected in 2017. There has also been an increased frequency of raw pet food incidents in 2017, suggesting an increasing trend in potential risk to humans from raw pet food. Recommendations to reduce the risk of infection included improved awareness of risk and promotion of good hygiene practices among the public when handling raw pet food.

Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 linked to raw drinking milk resolved by rapid application of advanced pathogen characterisation methods, England, August to October 2017.

An outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 occurred on the Isle of Wight between August and October 2017. Of the seven cases linked to the outbreak, five were identified through the statutory notification process and two were identified through national surveillance of whole genome sequencing data. Enhanced surveillance questionnaires established a common link to a farm, and link to the likely food vehicle, raw drinking milk (RDM). Microbiological investigations, including PCR, identified the presence of STEC O157:H7 in samples of RDM. Analysis of core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data of STEC O157:H7 from human stool specimens, animal faecal samples and RDM demonstrated a one SNP difference between isolates, and therefore close genetic relatedness. Control measures that were put in place included suspension of sales and recall of RDM, as well as restrictions on public access to parts of the farm. Successful integration of traditional epidemiological surveillance and advanced laboratory methods for the detection and characterisation of STEC O157:H7 from human, animal and environmental samples enabled prompt identification of the outbreak vehicle and provided evidence to support the outbreak control team's decision-making, leading to implementation of effective control measures in a timely manner.

Recurrent seasonal outbreak of an emerging serotype of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC O55:H7 Stx2a) in the south west of England, July 2014 to September 2015.

The first documented British outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O55:H7 began in the county of Dorset, England, in July 2014. Since then, there have been a total of 31 cases of which 13 presented with haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). The outbreak strain had Shiga toxin (Stx) subtype 2a associated with an elevated risk of HUS. This strain had not previously been isolated from humans or animals in England. The only epidemiological link was living in or having close links to two areas in Dorset. Extensive investigations included testing of animals and household pets. Control measures included extended screening, iterative interviewing and exclusion of cases and high risk contacts. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) confirmed that all the cases were infected with similar strains. A specific source could not be identified. The combination of epidemiological investigation and WGS indicated, however, that this outbreak was possibly caused by recurrent introductions from a local endemic zoonotic source, that a highly similar endemic reservoir appears to exist in the Republic of Ireland but has not been identified elsewhere, and that a subset of cases was associated with human-to-human transmission in a nursery.

Public Health Investigation of Two Outbreaks of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 Associated with Consumption of Watercress.

An increase in the number of cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 phage type 2 (PT2) in England in September 2013 was epidemiologically linked to watercress consumption. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) identified a phylogenetically related cluster of 22 cases (outbreak 1). The isolates comprising this cluster were not closely related to any other United Kingdom strain in the Public Health England WGS database, suggesting a possible imported source. A second outbreak of STEC O157 PT2 (outbreak 2) was identified epidemiologically following the detection of outbreak 1. Isolates associated with outbreak 2 were phylogenetically distinct from those in outbreak 1. Epidemiologically unrelated isolates on the same branch as the outbreak 2 cluster included those from human cases in England with domestically acquired infection and United Kingdom domestic cattle. Environmental sampling using PCR resulted in the isolation of STEC O157 PT2 from irrigation water at one implicated watercress farm, and WGS showed this isolate belonged to the same phylogenetic cluster as outbreak 2 isolates. Cattle were in close proximity to the watercress bed and were potentially the source of the second outbreak. Transfer of STEC from the field to the watercress bed may have occurred through wildlife entering the watercress farm or via runoff water. During this complex outbreak investigation, epidemiological studies, comprehensive testing of environmental samples, and the use of novel molecular methods proved invaluable in demonstrating that two simultaneous outbreaks of STEC O157 PT2 were both linked to the consumption of watercress but were associated with different sources of contamination.

Yersinia enterocolitica biovar 1A: An underappreciated potential pathogen in the food chain.

Yersinia enterocolitica is an underreported cause of foodborne gastroenteritis. Little is known of the diversity of Y. enterocolitica isolated from food and which food commodities contribute to human disease. In this study, Y. enterocolitica was isolated from 37/50 raw chicken, 8/10 pork, 8/10 salmon and 1/10 leafy green samples collected at retail in the UK. Up to 10 presumptive Y. enterocolitica isolates per positive sample underwent whole genome sequencing (WGS) and were compared with publicly available genomes. In total, 207 Y. enterocolitica isolates were analyzed and belonged to 38 sequence types (STs). Up to five STs of Y. enterocolitica were isolated from individual food samples and isolates belonging to the same sample and ST differed by 0-74 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Biotype was predicted for 205 (99 %) genomes that all belonged to biotype 1A, previously described as non-pathogenic. However, around half (51 %) of food samples contained isolates belonging to the same ST as previously isolated from UK human cases. The closest human-derived isolates shared between 17 and 7978 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the food isolates. Extensive food surveillance is required to determine what food sources are responsible for Y. enterocolitica infections and to re-examine the role of biotype 1A as a human pathogen.

Genomic epidemiology of the clinically dominant clonal complex 1 in the Listeria monocytogenes population in the UK.

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen, typically affecting the elderly, immunocompromised patients and pregnant women. The aim of this study was to determine the population structure of L. monocytogenes clonal complex 1 (CC1) in the UK and describe the genomic epidemiology of this clinically significant CC. We interrogated a working dataset of 4073 sequences of L. monocytogenes isolated between January 2015 and December 2020 from human clinical specimens, food and/or food-production environments. A minimum spanning tree was reconstructed to determine the population structure of L. monocytogenes in the UK. Subsequent analysis focused on L. monocytogenes CC1, as the cause of the highest proportion of invasive listeriosis in humans. Sequencing data was integrated with metadata on food and environmental isolates, and information from patient questionnaires, including age, sex and clinical outcomes. All isolates either belonged to lineage I (n=1299/4073, 32%) or lineage II (n=2774/4073, 68%), with clinical isolates from human cases more likely to belong to lineage I (n=546/928, 59%) and food isolates more likely to belong to lineage II (n=2352/3067, 77%). Of the four largest CCs, CC1 (n=237) had the highest proportion of isolates from human cases of disease (CC1 n=160/237, 67.5 %; CC121 n=13/843, 2 %; CC9 n=53/360, 15 %; CC2 n=69/339, 20%). Within CC1, most cases were female (n=95/160, 59%, P=0.01771) and the highest proportion of cases were in people >60 years old (39/95, 41%, P=1.314×10-6) with a high number of them aged 20-39 years old (n=35/95, 37%) most linked to pregnancy-related listeriosis (n=29/35, 83%). Most of the male cases were in men aged over 60 years old (40/65, 62%), and most of the fatal cases in both males and females were identified in this age group (42/55, 76%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed 23 5 SNP single linkage clusters comprising 80/237 (34 %) isolates with cluster sizes ranging from 2 to 19. Five 5 SNP clusters comprised isolates from human cases and an implicated food item. Expanding the analysis to 25 SNP single linkage clusters resolved an additional two clusters linking human cases to a potential food vehicle. Analysis of demographic and clinical outcome data identified CC1 as a clinically significant cause of invasive listeriosis in the elderly population and in women of child-bearing age. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the population structure of CC1 in the UK comprised small, sparsely populated genomic clusters. Only clusters containing isolates from an implicated food vehicle, or food processing or farming environments, were resolved, emphasizing the need for clinical, food and animal-health agencies to share sequencing data in real time, and the importance of a One Health approach to public-health surveillance of listeriosis.

Foodborne Outbreak of Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase Producing Shigella sonnei Associated with Contaminated Spring Onions in the United Kingdom.

Globalization of the food supply chain has created conditions favorable for emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) foodborne pathogens. In November 2021, the UK Health Security Agency detected an outbreak of 17 cases infected with the same strain of MDR extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Shigella sonnei. Phylogenetic analysis of whole-genome sequencing data revealed the outbreak was closely related to strains of S. sonnei isolated from travelers returning to the UK from Egypt. None of the outbreak cases reported travel and all 17 cases reported eating food from a restaurant/food outlet in the week prior to symptom onset, of which 11/17 (64.7%) ate at branches of the same national restaurant franchise. All 17 cases were adults and 14/17 (82.4%) were female. Ingredient-level analyses of the meals consumed by the cases identified spring onions as the common ingredient. Food chain investigations revealed that the spring onions served at the implicated restaurants could be traced back to a single Egyptian producer. The foodborne transmission of ESBL-producing bacteria is an emerging global health concern, and concerted action from all stakeholders is required to ensure an effective response to mitigate the risks to public health.

Two Outbreaks of Foodborne Gastrointestinal Infection Linked to Consumption of Imported Melons, United Kingdom, March to August 2021.

The aim of this study was to describe two foodborne outbreaks caused by contaminated imported melon and make recommendations for future practice. Between March and July 2021, there was an outbreak of 113 cases of Salmonella Braenderup in the UK (62% female, median age 61 years, 33% hospitalized). Analytical epidemiological studies identified Galia melons as the vehicle of infection (OR 671.9, 95% CI 39.0-58,074.0, p < 0.001). Subsequently, the outbreak strain was isolated from two samples of Galia melon imported from Latin America. In July and August 2021, there was an outbreak of 17 cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 in the UK (53% female, median age 21 years, 35% were hospitalized). Review of the STEC surveillance questionnaire data, followed by the analysis of responses from a modified hypothesis-generating questionnaire, implicated eating precut watermelon from retailer B sourced from Europe as the vehicle of infection. Outbreaks of gastrointestinal pathogens caused by contaminated food of nonanimal origin are a global public health concern. Given the difficulty in removing pathogens from the flesh of ready-to-eat fruit and vegetables, public health interventions should target all steps of the food chain prior to consumption, from cultivation on the farm to processing/packing and distribution.

Levels and genotypes of Salmonella and levels of Escherichia coli in frozen ready-to-cook chicken and turkey products in England tested in 2020 in relation to an outbreak of S. Enteritidis.

Frozen reformulated (FR) breaded chicken products have previously been implicated in causing human salmonellosis. A multi-country Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis outbreak involving several strains with >400 reported human cases in the UK occurred in 2020. Initially S. Infantis was detected in one sample from a case home but S. Enteritidis was then also isolated using a S. Enteritidis specific PCR in combination with isolation via a Craigie-tube. This prompted a survey to examine the presence and levels of Salmonella and E. coli in ready-to-cook FR poultry products in England in 2020. From a total of 483 samples, including two from cases' homes, Salmonella was detected in 42 chicken samples, these originated from six out of 53 production plants recorded. Salmonella detection was associated with elevated levels of generic E. coli (OR = 6.63). S. Enteritidis was detected in 17 samples, S. Infantis in 25, S. Newport in four and S. Java, S. Livingstone and S. Senftenberg in one each. The highest levels of Salmonella were 54 MPN/g for S. Infantis and 28 MPN/g for S. Enteritidis; 60% of the Salmonella-positive samples had <1.0 MPN/g. S. Enteritidis was detected together with S. Infantis in five samples and with S. Livingstone in one. Where S. Enteritidis was detected with other Salmonella, the former was present at between 2 and 100-fold lower concentrations. The Salmonella contamination was homogeneously distributed amongst chicken pieces from a single pack and present in both the outer coating and inner content. The S. Enteritidis were all outbreak strains and detected in six products that were linked to four production plants which implicated a Polish origin of contamination. Despite S. Infantis being most prevalent in these products, S. Infantis from only two contemporaneous human cases in the UK fell into the same cluster as isolates detected in one product. Except for one human case falling into the same cluster as one of the S. Newport strains from the chicken, no further isolates from human cases fell into clusters with any of the other serovars detected in the chicken samples. This study found that higher E. coli levels indicated a higher probability of Salmonella contamination in FR chicken products. The results also highlight the importance of recognising co-contamination of foods with multiple Salmonella types and has provided essential information for detecting and understanding outbreaks where multiple strains are involved.

Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 linked with consumption of a fast-food product containing imported cucumbers, United Kingdom, August 2020.

BACKGROUND: In August 2020, an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 occurred in the United Kingdom. Whole genome sequencing revealed that these cases formed a genetically distinct cluster. METHODS: Hypotheses generated from case interviews were tested in analytical studies, and results informed environmental sampling and food chain analysis. A case-case study used non-outbreak 'comparison' STEC cases; a case-control study used a market research panel to recruit controls. RESULTS: A total of 36 cases were identified; all cases reported symptom onset between August 3 and August 16, 2020. The majority of cases (83%) resided in the Midlands region of England and in Wales. A high proportion of cases reported eating out, with one fast-food restaurant chain mentioned by 64% (n = 23) of cases. Both the case-case study (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 31.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-624.9) and the case-control study (aOR 9.19, 95% CI 1.0-82.8) revealed statistically significant results, showing that the consumption of a specific fast-food product was independently associated with infection. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of a specific fast-food product was a likely cause of this outbreak. The only ingredient specific to the product was cucumbers. The supply of cucumbers was immediately halted, and no further cases have been identified.

Challenging the "gold standard" of colony-forming units - Validation of a multiplex real-time PCR for quantification of viable Campylobacter spp. in meat rinses.

Campylobacter jejuni is the leading bacterial food-borne pathogen in Europe. Despite the accepted limits of cultural detection of the fastidious bacterium, the "gold standard" in food microbiology is still the determination of colony-forming units (CFU). As an alternative, a live/dead differentiating qPCR has been established, using propidium monoazide (PMA) as DNA-intercalating crosslink agent for inactivating DNA from dead, membrane-compromised cells. The PMA treatment was combined with the addition of an internal sample process control (ISPC), i.e. a known number of dead C. sputorum cells to the samples. The ISPC enables i), monitoring the effective reduction of dead cell signal by the light-activated DNA-intercalating dye PMA, and ii), compensation for potential DNA losses during processing. Here, we optimized the method for routine application and performed a full validation of the method according to ISO 16140-2:2016(E) for the quantification of live thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in meat rinses against the classical enumeration method ISO 10272-2:2017. In order to render the method applicable and cost-effective for practical application, the ISPC was lyophilized to be distributable to routine laboratories. In addition, a triplex qPCR was established to simultaneously quantify thermophilic Campylobacter, the ISPC and an internal amplification control (IAC). Its performance was statistically similar to the two duplex qPCRs up to a contamination level of 4.7 log10Campylobacter per ml of meat rinse. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the alternative method was around 20 genomic equivalents per PCR reaction, i.e. 2.3 log10 live Campylobacter per ml of sample. The alternative method passed a relative trueness study, confirming the robustness against different meat rinses, and displayed sufficient accuracy within the limits set in ISO 16140-2:2016(E). Finally, the method was validated in an interlaboratory ring trial, confirming that the alternative method was fit for purpose with a tendency of improved repeatability and reproducibility compared to the reference method for CFU determination. Campylobacter served as a model organism, challenging CFU as "gold standard" and could help in guidance to the general acceptance of live/dead differentiating qPCR methods for the detection of food-borne pathogens.

Microbiological Quality of Cooked Chicken: Results of Monitoring in England (2013-17).

Results from monitoring of the microbiological quality of 2,721 samples of ready-to-eat cooked chicken collected between 2013 to 2017 in England were reviewed: 70% of samples were from retail, catering or manufacture and 30% were imported and collected at English ports. Samples were tested for a range of bacterial pathogens and indicator organisms. Six samples (<1%) had unsatisfactory levels of pathogens which were potentially injurious to health. Neither Salmonella nor Campylobacter were recovered from any sample. Two samples from catering settings contained either an unsatisfactory level of Bacillus cereus (5 x 10 6 CFU/g) or an unsatisfactory level of coagulase positive staphylococci (1.6 x 10 4 CFU/g). Listeria monocytogenes was recovered from 36 samples (one at manufacture, 26 at catering and nine at retail) and in four instances, unsatisfactory levels (≥10 2 CFU/g) were detected (three samples collected at catering and one at retail). For L. monocytogenes there were no significant differences between the rates of contamination with between the samples collected from ports, manufacture, retail supermarkets and other retailers (p = 0.288). There were no differences between the rates of contamination for other potential pathogens detected between samples from different settings. The prevalence of hygiene indicators ( Escherichia coli , Enterobacteriaceae and Aerobic Colony Counts) at import was significantly lower than in samples collected from manufacturers, retail or catering (p < 0.01). Samples collected from catering gave poorer results than all other settings. Regardless of the stage in the food chain, samples from Thailand and from other non-EU countries were of significantly better microbiological quality with respect to indicator organisms than those from the UK or from other EU countries (p = <0.001).

Amoxicillin therapy of poultry flocks: effect upon the selection of amoxicillin-resistant commensal Campylobacter spp.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of amoxicillin therapy of poultry flocks upon the persistence of commensal Campylobacter spp. and the incidence of antibiotic resistance. METHODS: Four poultry flocks naturally colonized with Campylobacter were treated with amoxicillin and monitored before, during and up to 4 weeks post-treatment. The numbers of Campylobacter were determined and the isolates speciated and typed by flaA short variable region (SVR) sequence analysis and PFGE. The susceptibility of the isolates to antibiotics, presence of the Cj0299 gene encoding a beta-lactamase and beta-lactamase production (nitrocefin hydrolysis) were also determined. RESULTS: Amoxicillin-resistant Campylobacter were isolated from Flock 1 before and during treatment, but Campylobacter were not detected afterwards. Flock 2 was colonized by amoxicillin-susceptible strains throughout sampling. No amoxicillin-resistant isolates arose during or after treatment. Flock 3 contained amoxicillin-susceptible and -resistant types pre-treatment. Resistant isolates were detected during treatment, while antibiotic-susceptible isolates re-emerged at 3 weeks post-treatment. All Campylobacter isolates from Flock 4 were amoxicillin resistant, irrespective of sampling time. All but one of the 82 amoxicillin-resistant (MICs 16 to >128 mg/L) Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli tested for the presence of Cj0299 carried the gene and all of these produced beta-lactamase. Co-amoxiclav remained active against amoxicillin-resistant isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Amoxicillin therapy had little effect on the numbers of amoxicillin-resistant commensal Campylobacter except for one flock where amoxicillin-resistant Campylobacter temporarily dominated. Amoxicillin therapy did not select amoxicillin-resistant isolates from a previous susceptible strain. Co-amoxiclav remained active against amoxicillin-resistant isolates.

Flock health indicators and Campylobacter spp. in commercial housed broilers reared in Great Britain.

This study investigated the relationship between flock health and Campylobacter infection of housed commercial broilers in Great Britain. Thirty ceca were collected at slaughter from batches of broilers from 789 flocks, at either full or partial depopulation, between December 2003 and March 2006 and examined individually for Campylobacter by direct plating onto selective media. Management and health data were collected from each flock and included information on mortality or culling during rearing, the number of birds rejected for infectious or noninfectious causes at slaughter, the proportion of birds with digital dermatitis (also termed hock burn), and other general characteristics of the flock. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 280 (35%) flocks. The relationship between bird health and welfare and Campylobacter status of flocks was assessed using random-effects logistic regression models, adjusting for region, month, year, and rearing regime. Campylobacter-positive batches of ceca were associated with higher levels of rejection due to infection (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI(95%)], 0.98 to 2.30) and digital dermatitis (OR, 2.08; CI(95%), 1.20 to 3.61). Furthermore, higher levels of these conditions were also associated with the highest-level category of within-flock Campylobacter prevalence (70 to 100%). These results could indicate that improving health and welfare may also reduce Campylobacter in broilers.

Detection of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from broiler chicken-related samples using BAX PCR and conventional International Organization for Standardization culture.

In this study, the conventional International Organization for Standardization (ISO) culture method was compared with the DuPont Qualicon BAX system, a high-throughput, rapid molecular assay that can be used to detect several bacterial species, including Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in diverse sample types. Standard enrichment culture is a time-consuming process, taking up to 6 days to obtain a confirmed result. Rapid molecular assays have been developed that provide results within 24 h. Naturally contaminated samples from the poultry production chain were examined for the presence of Campylobacter spp. Samples from broiler chicken ceca (n = 100), fresh chicken carcass rinses (n = 60), and bootsocks (gauze sock walked through a broiler chicken house; n = 50) were enriched according to the ISO 10272 method in Bolton broth specifically designed to detect Campylobacter spp. in complex sample types. Samples were enriched without blood for use with the BAX system using the Campylobacter BAX kits for the detection of C. jejuni and C. coli. Samples also were directly plated onto modified charcoal cefperazone deoxycholate agar, and results were compared with those from the enriched samples for the ability to detect Campylobacter spp. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 49% of samples with conventional enrichment cultures, from 48% with direct culture, from 68% with the BAX system and enrichment cultures, and from 62% with the BAX system used directly with samples. Overall, the BAX system detected more positive samples than did the conventional culture method and is an effective methodology for the rapid and reliable detection of Campylobacter spp. from diverse sample types.

Pathogens on meat and infection in animals - Establishing a relationship using campylobacter and salmonella as examples.

A high proportion of human campylobacter and salmonella infections is likely to originate from farm animals, usually directly from the consumption of contaminated meat or milk. Surveillance shows that campylobacter and salmonella genotypes are shared between human case isolates, farm animals and foods, although with the latter there can be marked differences between infection frequency in live animals and contamination rates in raw foods. This is supported by a variety of data from around the world, using a range of different methods. In this paper the evidence for farm animals being the reservoir of human salmonella and campylobacter infection is presented. However, a note of caution is sounded about the complex nature of zoonotic diseases caused by these two pathogens. Thus, many salmonellas and campylobacter types found routinely in food animals do not appear to cause human infections. Is this and artefact of the surveillance and/or microbiological methods used or are some strains of these bacteria genuinely non-pathogenic in man?

The survival of foodborne pathogens during domestic washing-up and subsequent transfer onto washing-up sponges, kitchen surfaces and food.

In this study, the survival of Salmonella, Campylobacter and Escherichia coli O157: H7, when exposed to a range of constant temperatures (47-60 degrees C), in hard or soft water, in the presence/absence of detergent (0-0.3%) and organic matter, and during drying, was investigated. Further experiments used a washing-up process simulation, where soiled dishes contaminated with bacteria were washed in a bowl of warm water containing detergent. In addition, this study considered the risk of bacterial transfer onto (1) sterile dishes and sponges via contaminated water, (2) kitchen surfaces wiped with a contaminated sponge, (3) items placed in direct contact with a contaminated kitchen surface, (4) food placed on a contaminated dish or (5) dishes from contaminated food. A proportion of dishes remained contaminated with all pathogen types after a typical washing-up. Water hardness did not appear to affect survival. E. coli, and to a lesser extent Salmonella, survived towel- or air-drying on dishes and after towel-drying the cloth became contaminated on every occasion, regardless of the test organism. A proportion of sterile dishes washed after contaminated dishes became contaminated with pathogens but transfer from dishes onto food was rare. Washing-up sponges frequently became contaminated with pathogens. The results of this study highlight the potential for survival and cross contamination of food borne pathogens in the kitchen environment.

Filament formation by Salmonella spp. inoculated into liquid food matrices at refrigeration temperatures, and growth patterns when warmed.

In this study, the formation of multicellular filamentous Salmonella cells in response to low temperatures was investigated by using isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis PT4 and S. enterica serovar Typhimurium DT104 as the inocula. The formation of filamentous cells in two liquid food matrices at the recommended maximum temperature for refrigeration (8 degrees C) was monitored and compared with that in tryptone soya broth. Giemsa staining was performed to locate nuclear material within the filaments. Single filaments were warmed on agar at 37 degrees C, and the subsequent rate of septation was quantified. For all strains tested, > 70% of the Salmonella cells inoculated had become filamentous after 4 days in media at 8 degrees C, indicating that filamentation could occur during the shelf life of most refrigerated foods. Strains with impaired RpoS expression were able to form filaments at 8 degrees C, although these filaments tended to be shorter and less numerous. All strains also formed filamentous cells at 8 degrees C in retail milk or chicken meat extract. Filaments often exceeded 100 microm in length and appeared straight-sided under the microscope in media and in foods, and Giemsa staining demonstrated that regularly spaced nucleoids were present. This phenotype indicates that an early block in cell septation is probably responsible for filamentation. When filaments were warmed on agar at 37 degrees C, there was a rapid completion of septation, and for one filament, a >200-fold increase in cell number was observed within 4 h. There are clear public health implications associated with the filamentation of Salmonella in contaminated foods at refrigeration temperatures, especially when the possibility of rapid septation of filamentous cells upon warming is considered.