Heterologous expression of Streptococcus mutans Cnm in Lactococcus lactis promotes intracellular invasion, adhesion to human cardiac tissues and virulence.

In S. mutans, the expression of the surface glycoprotein Cnm mediates binding to extracellular matrix proteins, endothelial cell invasion and virulence in the Galleria mellonella invertebrate model. To further characterize Cnm as a virulence factor, the cnm gene from S. mutans strain OMZ175 was expressed in the non-pathogenic Lactococcus lactis NZ9800 using a nisin-inducible system. Despite the absence of the machinery necessary for Cnm glycosylation, Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy analyses demonstrated that Cnm was effectively expressed and translocated to the cell wall of L. lactis. Similar to S. mutans, expression of Cnm in L. lactis enabled robust binding to collagen and laminin, invasion of human coronary artery endothelial cells and increased virulence in G. mellonella. Using an ex vivo human heart tissue colonization model, we showed that Cnm-positive strains of either S. mutans or L. lactis outcompete their Cnm-negative counterparts for tissue colonization. Finally, Cnm expression facilitated L. lactis adhesion and colonization in a rabbit model of infective endocarditis. Collectively, our results provide unequivocal evidence that binding to extracellular matrices mediated by Cnm is an important virulence attribute of S. mutans and confirm the usefulness of the L. lactis heterologous system for further characterization of bacterial virulence factors.

Household food safety awareness of selected urban consumers in Jamaica.

Home interviews of 110 randomly selected householders representing three distinct socio-economic groups in North Central St Andrew, an urban community in Jamaica, were conducted during January-March 1999. Respondents were interviewed about their awareness of safe food handling, risk perception, food handling practices and attitude to food safety issues. The majority of respondents reported a fairly high knowledge of safe food handling practices; however, more than one-half were unfamiliar with the correct procedure for freezing and thawing of foods. Householders were very concerned about the food they purchased for preparation at home, displayed strong concerns about sanitation of food handling establishments, food handlers practices, and the appearance of foods purchased. The majority of respondents had never contacted their local Health Department or the Ministry of Health regarding food safety concerns. Diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting and nausea were reported as the major symptoms of food-borne illness, while animal foods including dairy, beef, chicken, pork and fish/shellfish were implicated as the main source of food borne illnesses. There were no significant differences (P<0.5) observed between gender and socio-economic groups in the study, except for concern of the appearance of food and shopping options, respectively. These findings raise concerns about consumer food safety knowledge and practices in Jamaica. It is suggested that a national knowledge, awareness and practices survey should be conducted, followed by a properly designed food safety public education campaign, to enhance household food safety awareness in Jamaica.

A study of consumers' knowledge, attitudes, practices and perception concerning selected food safety issues in the home

Household food safety poses a major challenge not only to the preparers of food but to public health and other food regulatory authorities. Studies have shown that family home rank high in the list of places where foodbourne disease are acquired and transmitted. To describe the knowledge, attitude, practices and perception of householders in North Central Saint Andrew one hundred and ten householders, eighteen years and over, were interviewed during January and March, 1999. The study, cross-sectional in design, included respondents who were randomly selected from three distinct socio-economic classes. Four key informants representing public sector and non-government organizations involved with food safety programmes were interviewed to explore additional ways of strengthening household food safety. The survey found that householders were very concerned about the food they purchased for preparation at home; displayed strong concerns about sanitation of food handling establishments; food handlers practices and the appearance of the foods purchased. There was significant gender difference in the concern for the appearance of food (X squared = 4.45; p<0.05). There were no other significant gender differences for the major concerns when purchasing food (p>0.05). Respondents adopted varying actions to improve food safety at home. Ninety-eight percent of respondents never contacted the Local Health Department or the Ministry of Health as part of their information seeking opportunity regarding food safety. The lifetime prevalence of food-borne illness was found to be approximately 46 percent. Diarrhoea, stomach pain, vomiting and nausea were the major symptoms reported. Milk/yogurt/ice cream, beef, chicken, pork and fish/shellfish were the main food items implicated as being associated with the foodborne illness. Respondents gave a low rating to Government departments/agencies for their contribution to the food safety efforts. While respondents reported a fairly high knowledge of safe food handling practices ... Most respondents had average or fair attitude concerning food safety. ... A properly designed and executed household food safety public education campaign; inclusion of safe handling instructions on raw meats, poultry and fish/shellfish and the operation of a food safety hotline are suggested as additional methods of enhancing household food safety (AU)

A study of consumers' knowledge, attitudes practices and perception concerning selected food safety issues in the home

Household food safety poses a major challenge not only to the prevalence of food but to public health and other food regulatory authorities. Studies have shown that family home rank high in the list of places where foodborne diseases are acquired and transmitted. To describe the knowledge, attitude, practices and perception of householders in North Central Saint Andrew one hundred and ten householders, eighteen years and over, were interviewed during January and March, 1999. The study, cross-sectional in design, included respondents who were randomly selected from three distinct socio-economic classes. Four key informants representing public sector and non-government organizations involved with food safety programmes were interviewed to explore additional ways of strengthening household food safety. The survey found that householders were very concerned about the food they purchased for preparation at home; displayed strong concerns about sanitation of food handling establishments; food handlers practices and the appearance of the foods purchased. There was significant gender difference in the concern for the appearance of the food (X2 = 4.45; p<0.05). There were no other significant gender differences for the major concerns when purchasing food (p>0.05). Respondents adopted varying actions to improve food safety at home. Ninety-eight percent of respondents never contacted the Local Health Department of the Ministry of Health as part of their information seeking opportunity regarding food safety. The lifetime prevalence of food-borne illness was found to be approximately 46 percent. Diarrhoea, stomach pain, vomitting and nausea were the major symptoms reported. Milk/yogurt/ice cream, beef, chicken, pork and fish/shellfish were the main food items implicated as being associated with the foodborne illness. Respondents gave a low rating to Government departments/agencies for their contirbution to the food safety efforts. While respondents reported a fairly high knowledge of safe food handling practices, 52 percent and 62 percent respectively did not know the correct temperature for cooling and freezing foods. Similarly, approximately 71 percent practised unsafe methods of thawing frozen foods. Most respondents had average or fair attitude concerning food safety. There was no significant difference socio-economic class with respect to attitude towards household food safety.(Au) [truncated at 2500 characters]

Brasil: pobreza e necessidades básicas / Brazil: poverty and basic needs

Apresenta uma visão histórica do quadro demográfico brasileiro, a evolução das políticas e programas oficiais nas áreas da saúde, nutrição, educação, habitação e abastecimento de água e esgoto, e várias projeções ou simulações até o ano 2000.

Brasil: pobreza e necessidades básicas / Brazil: poverty and basic needs

Apresenta uma visäo histórica do quadro demográfico brasileiro, a evoluçäo das políticas e programas oficiais nas áreas da saúde, nutriçäo, educaçäo, habitaçäo e abastecimento de água e esgoto, e várias projeções ou simulações até o ano 2000.(AU)