Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 175
Filter
1.
Cells ; 10(10)2021 10 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34685654

ABSTRACT

Tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells with potent antiviral and antibacterial functions protect the epithelial and mucosal surfaces of our bodies against infection with pathogens. The strong proinflammatory activities of TRM cells suggest requirement for expression of inhibitory molecules to restrain these memory T cells under steady state conditions. We previously identified the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor GPR56 as an inhibitory receptor of human cytotoxic lymphocytes that regulates their cytotoxic effector functions. Here, we explored the expression pattern, expression regulation, and function of GPR56 on pathogen-specific CD8+ T cells using two infection models. We observed that GPR56 is expressed on TRM cells during acute infection and is upregulated by the TRM cell-inducing cytokine TGF-ß and the TRM cell-associated transcription factor Hobit. However, GPR56 appeared dispensable for CD8+ T-cell differentiation and function upon acute infection with LCMV as well as Listeria monocytogenes. Thus, TRM cells specifically acquire the inhibitory receptor GPR56, but the impact of this receptor on TRM cells after acute infection does not appear essential to regulate effector functions of TRM cells.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation/immunology , Immunologic Memory , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Animals , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Cytokines/biosynthesis , Cytotoxicity, Immunologic , Gene Expression Regulation , Listeria/physiology , Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus/physiology , Mice , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics , Up-Regulation
2.
Ultrason Sonochem ; 74: 105567, 2021 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33957369

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated a synergistic antimicrobial treatment using a combination of low frequency and a low-intensity ultrasound (LFU) and a food-grade antioxidant, propyl gallate (PG), against a model gram-positive (Listeria innocua) and the gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli O157:H7). Bacterial inactivation kinetic measurements were complemented by characterization of biophysical changes in liposomes, changes in bacterial membrane permeability, morphological changes in bacterial cells, and intracellular oxidative stress upon treatment with PG, LFU, and a combination of PG + LFU. Combination of PG + LFU significantly (>4 log CFU/mL, P < 0.05) enhanced the inactivation of both L. innocua and E. coli O157:H7 compared to PG or LFU treatment. As expected, L. innocua had a significantly higher resistance to inactivation compared to E. coli using a combination of PG + LFU. Biophysical measurements in liposomes, bacterial permeability measurements, and scanning electron microscope (SEM)-based morphological measurements show rapid interactions of PG with membranes. Upon extended treatment of cells with PG + LFU, a significant increase in membrane damage was observed compared to PG or LFU alone. A lack of change in the intracellular thiol content following the combined treatment and limited effectiveness of exogenously added antioxidants in attenuating the synergistic antimicrobial action demonstrated that oxidative stress was not a leading mechanism responsible for the synergistic inactivation by PG + LFU. Overall, the study illustrates synergistic inactivation of bacteria using a combination of PG + LFU based on enhanced membrane damage and its potential for applications in the food and environmental systems.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants/pharmacology , Food , Microbial Viability/drug effects , Ultrasonic Waves , Escherichia coli O157/drug effects , Escherichia coli O157/physiology , Listeria/drug effects , Listeria/physiology
3.
Sci Rep ; 11(1): 2346, 2021 01 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33504900

ABSTRACT

Biofilms are complex microbial communities that present serious contamination risks to our environment and health. In this study, atmospheric air plasma and airborne acoustic ultrasound technology were applied to inactivate Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua biofilms. Both technologies were efficient in controlling, or completely inactivating, the target bacterial biofilms. Viability and metabolic assays, along with microscopy analysis, revealed that atmospheric air plasma and airborne acoustic ultrasound damaged both the bacterial biofilm cells and its structural integrity. Scanning electron microscopy images highlighted the disruption of the biofilms and pore formation in bacterial cells exposed to both the plasma and acoustic treatments. Elevated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in bacterial cells treated with atmospheric air plasma, demonstrated their primary role in the observed bacterial inactivation process. Our findings provide potential antimicrobial strategies to combat bacterial biofilms in the food and healthcare sectors.


Subject(s)
Biofilms/growth & development , Escherichia coli/physiology , Listeria/physiology , Microbial Viability , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
4.
Protein Pept Lett ; 28(1): 101-107, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32242775

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Bovine Lactoferrin (bLf) has been reported as antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory and anticancer protein. Escherichia coli and Listeria spp. are food-borne bacteria that can produce illness in human being and mammals, the emergent antimicrobial drug resistance has been reported in these pathogens. OBJECTIVE: The aim for this study was to evaluate the bLf effect on in vitro biofilm production and the synergic effect of antibiotics on E. coli and Listeria isolates. METHODS: E. coli and Listeria specimens were isolated from bovine carcasses and slaughterhouses surfaces, respectively. Biofilm formation was analyzed with or without bLf, incubated for 48 h and spectrophotometry, cell viability was analyzed by colony-forming unit (CFU) and the synergistic effect of bLf with ampicillin, oxytetracycline, and streptomycin was evaluated through the fractional concentration index (FCI). RESULTS: Our results show that a low bLf concentration (0.8 µM) can diminish the in vitro biofilm production in Listeria isolates; also improves the in vitro oxytetracycline and streptomycin activity against E. coli, and ampicillin activity against Listeria isolates. CONCLUSION: bLf can affect the biofilm production in Listeria isolates from slaughterhouses surfaces and shown synergic effect with ampicillin. Also has a synergic effect with oxytetracycline and streptomycin against E. coli isolates from bovine carcasses.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Biofilms/drug effects , Escherichia coli/physiology , Lactoferrin/pharmacology , Listeria/physiology , Animals , Biofilms/growth & development , Cattle , Drug Synergism , Escherichia coli/isolation & purification , Lactoferrin/agonists , Listeria/isolation & purification
5.
ACS Appl Bio Mater ; 4(1): 514-522, 2021 01 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35014299

ABSTRACT

Efficient inactivation and removal of pathogenic biofilms in food and biomedical environments remain a significant challenge for food safety applications and medical facilities. This research aims to develop food-grade microcarriers for the targeted delivery of a photosensitizer, curcumin, and photodynamic inactivation of a model pathogenic bacterial biofilm. The microcarriers evaluated in this study include alive yeast cell carriers, deactivated yeast cell carriers, and yeast cell wall particles. The microcarriers were evaluated based on the encapsulation yield of a model photosensitizer (curcumin), binding of the microcarriers to biofilms, and inactivation of the bacteria in the biofilms. The results illustrate that the combination of binding affinity, encapsulation yield, and the intracellular composition of the microcarriers influenced the overall inactivation of bacteria in the biofilms. All of the selected compositions achieved more than 93% inactivation of the bacteria in the biofilm using the photodynamic treatment, and the yeast cell wall particles with curcumin achieved over 99% inactivation of the bacteria in the biofilm matrix. In addition, all of the selected compositions demonstrated significant potential to remove the biofilm from the plastic surface, suggesting the role of binding affinity of the microcarriers in removal of the biofilm from surfaces. Overall, this study developed biomaterial formulations for targeted photodynamic inactivation and potential removal of biofilms.


Subject(s)
Biofilms/drug effects , Cell Wall/chemistry , Curcumin/chemistry , Photosensitizing Agents/pharmacology , Biofilms/radiation effects , Curcumin/pharmacology , Drug Carriers/chemistry , Listeria/physiology , Photosensitizing Agents/chemistry , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism , Ultraviolet Rays
6.
Meat Sci ; 172: 108315, 2021 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32977291

ABSTRACT

A model describing Listeria innocua evolution according to process parameters of 51 Italian salami processes and HPP in 31 companies was developed. A total of 51 challenge tests were performed. During processing a L. innocua reduction of 0.34-4.32 Log10 CFU/g was observed and HPP further reduced the count of 0.48-3.47 Log10 CFU/g; an overall reduction of 1.04-5.68 is reached. PH after acidification/drying process, aw after seasoning, duration of the seasoning and caliber resulted associated (p < 0.05) with L. innocua decrease. HPP efficacy was associated (p < 0.05) with aw and pH of the product: higher the pH and aw after the acidification/drying and seasoning phases, higher resulted the L. innocua reduction after HPP. No significant association was observed between L.innocua and salt, nitrate and starter content and other characteristics of process. The model meets companies and Authorities needs and represents a useful tool to predict L. monocytogenes lethality, giving recommendations to food business operators interested in exportation to the U.S.


Subject(s)
Food Handling/methods , Listeria/physiology , Meat Products/microbiology , Animals , Colony Count, Microbial , Desiccation , Fermentation , Food Microbiology/standards , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Italy , Meat Products/standards , Swine , United States
7.
Appl Environ Microbiol ; 86(11)2020 05 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32245761

ABSTRACT

The pathogen Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, a severe foodborne disease associated with high mortality. Rapid and sensitive methods are required for specific detection of this pathogen during food production. Bioluminescence-based reporter bacteriophages are genetically engineered viruses that infect their host cells with high specificity and transduce a heterologous luciferase gene whose activity can be detected with high sensitivity to indicate the presence of viable target cells. Here, we use synthetic biology for de novo genome assembly and activation as well as CRISPR-Cas-assisted phage engineering to construct a set of reporter phages for the detection and differentiation of viable Listeria cells. Based on a single phage backbone, we compare the performance of four reporter phages that encode different crustacean, cnidarian, and bacterial luciferases. From this panel of reporter proteins, nanoluciferase (NLuc) was identified as a superior enzyme and was subsequently introduced into the genomes of a broad host range phage (A511) and two serovar 1/2- and serovar 4b/6a-specific Listeria phages (A006 and A500, respectively). The broad-range NLuc-based phage A511::nlucCPS detects one CFU of L. monocytogenes in 25 g of artificially contaminated milk, cold cuts, and lettuce within less than 24 h. In addition, this reporter phage successfully detected Listeria spp. in potentially contaminated natural food samples without producing false-positive or false-negative results. Finally, A006::nluc and A500::nluc enable serovar-specific Listeria diagnostics. In conclusion, these NLuc-based reporter phages enable rapid, ultrasensitive detection and differentiation of viable Listeria cells using a simple protocol that is 72 h faster than culture-dependent approaches.IMPORTANCE Culture-dependent methods are the gold standard for sensitive and specific detection of pathogenic bacteria within the food production chain. In contrast to molecular approaches, these methods detect viable cells, which is a key advantage for foods generated from heat-inactivated source material. However, culture-based diagnostics are typically much slower than molecular or proteomic strategies. Reporter phage assays combine the best of both worlds and allow for near online assessment of microbial safety because phage replication is extremely fast, highly target specific, and restricted to metabolically active host cells. In addition, reporter phage assays are inexpensive and do not require highly trained personnel, facilitating their on-site implementation. The reporter phages presented in this study not only allow for rapid detection but also enable an early estimation of the potential virulence of Listeria isolates from food production and processing sites.


Subject(s)
Bacteriophages/chemistry , Listeria/physiology , Luciferases/chemistry , Luminescent Measurements/methods , Microbial Viability
8.
Ultrason Sonochem ; 64: 104983, 2020 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32006935

ABSTRACT

Ultrasound has potential to be used for disinfection, and its antimicrobial effectiveness can be enhanced in presence of natural compounds. In this study, we compared the antimicrobial effects of ultrasound at 20 kHz (US 20 kHz) or 1 MHz (US 1 MHz) in combination with carvacrol, citral, cinnamic acid, geraniol, gallic acid, lactic acid, or limonene against E. coli K12 and Listeria innocua at a constant power density in water. Compared to the cumulative effect of the individual treatments, the combined treatment of US 1 MHz and 10 mM citral generated >1.5 log CFU/mL additional inactivation of E. coli K12. Similarly, combined treatments of US 1 MHz and 2 mM carvacrol (30 min), US 20 kHz and 2 mM carvacrol, 10 mM citral, or 5 mM geraniol (15 min) generated >0.5-2.0 log CFU/mL additional inactivation in L. innocua. The synergistic effect of citral, as a presentative compound, and US 20 kHz treatment was determined to be a result of enhanced dispersion of insoluble citral droplets in combination with physical impact on bacterial membrane structures, whereas the inactivation by US 1 MHz was likely due to generation of oxidative stress within the bacteria. Combined ultrasound and citral treatments improved the bacterial inactivation in simulated wash water in presence of organic matter or during washing of inoculated blueberries but only additive antimicrobial effects were observed. Findings in this study will be useful to enhance fresh produce safety and shelf-life and design other alternative ultrasound based sanitation processes.


Subject(s)
Acyclic Monoterpenes/pharmacology , Food Handling/methods , Food Microbiology , Ultrasonic Waves , Blueberry Plants/drug effects , Blueberry Plants/microbiology , Escherichia coli K12/drug effects , Escherichia coli K12/physiology , Listeria/drug effects , Listeria/physiology , Microbial Viability/drug effects
9.
Cell Mol Immunol ; 17(12): 1222-1232, 2020 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31511645

ABSTRACT

The expression of coinhibitory receptors, such as CTLA-4, on effector T cells is a key mechanism for the negative regulation of T-cell activation. However, the transcriptional regulation of CTLA-4 is not well understood. Zfp281, a C2H2 zinc finger protein, is a negative regulator of pluripotency maintenance of embryonic stem cells. Nevertheless, the function of Zfp281 in differentiated cells has not been studied. We generated Zfp281 conditional knockout mice in which the function of the Zfp281 gene was conditionally disrupted by the Cd4Cre transgene to study its impact on T cell function. Zfp281 had no effect on T-cell development, but CD4+ T cell activation and cytokine production were impaired due to diminished T-cell receptor signaling. Furthermore, Zfp281 deficiency inhibited in vivo T cell responses to Listeria monocytogenes infection. Using genome-wide expression profiling assays, we determined that Zfp281 repressed Ctla-4 expression by directly binding to GC-rich sites in its promoter, which inhibited the negative feedback of T cell activation. In line with this result, CTLA-4 blockade and shRNA knockdown partly rescued the reduced cytokine production caused by Zfp281 deficiency. These findings indicate that Zfp281 sustains CD4+ T lymphocyte activation by directly repressing Ctla-4 transcription.


Subject(s)
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CTLA-4 Antigen/genetics , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Transcription, Genetic , Animals , Cytokines/biosynthesis , Gene Expression Regulation , Listeria/physiology , Listeriosis/genetics , Listeriosis/immunology , Listeriosis/microbiology , Lymphocyte Activation/genetics , Mice, Knockout , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Protein Binding , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Transcription Factors/deficiency
10.
Mucosal Immunol ; 13(1): 34-46, 2020 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31619761

ABSTRACT

Microbial interaction with the host through sensing receptors, including SIGNR1, sustains intestinal homeostasis against pathogenic inflammation. The newly discovered commensal Propionibacterium strain, P. UF1, regulates the intestinal immunity against pathogen challenge. However, the molecular events driving intestinal phagocytic cell response, including colonic dendritic cells (DCs), by this bacterium are still elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the glycosylation of bacterial large surface layer protein A (LspA) by protein O-mannosyltransferase 1 (Pmt1) regulates the interaction with SIGNR1, resulting in the control of DC transcriptomic and metabolomic machineries. Programmed DCs promote protective T cell response to intestinal Listeria infection and resist chemically induced colitis in mice. Thus, our findings may highlight a novel molecular mechanism by which commensal surface glycosylation interacting with SIGNR1 directs the intestinal homeostasis to potentially protect the host against proinflammatory signals inducing colonic tissue damage.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Cell Adhesion Molecules/metabolism , Colitis/immunology , Colon/immunology , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/immunology , Lectins, C-Type/metabolism , Listeria/physiology , Listeriosis/immunology , Propionibacterium/metabolism , Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Animals , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Cell Adhesion Molecules/genetics , Cell Differentiation , Cells, Cultured , Colitis/chemically induced , Humans , Lectins, C-Type/genetics , Lymphocyte Activation , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Protein Binding , Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics , Symbiosis
11.
mBio ; 10(6)2019 12 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31848284

ABSTRACT

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacterium causing potentially fatal foodborne infections in humans and animals. While the mechanisms used by Listeria to manipulate its host have been thoroughly characterized, how the host controls bacterial virulence factors remains to be extensively deciphered. Here, we found that the secreted Listeria virulence protein InlC is monoubiquitinated by the host cell machinery on K224, restricting infection. We show that the ubiquitinated form of InlC interacts with the intracellular alarmin S100A9, resulting in its stabilization and in increased reactive oxygen species production by neutrophils in infected mice. Collectively, our results suggest that posttranslational modification of InlC exacerbates the host response upon Listeria infection.IMPORTANCE The pathogenic potential of Listeria monocytogenes relies on the production of an arsenal of virulence determinants that have been extensively characterized, including surface and secreted proteins of the internalin family. We have previously shown that the Listeria secreted internalin InlC interacts with IκB kinase α to interfere with the host immune response (E. Gouin, M. Adib-Conquy, D. Balestrino, M.-A. Nahori, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 107:17333-17338, 2010, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1007765107). In the present work, we report that InlC is monoubiquitinated on K224 upon infection of cells and provide evidence that ubiquitinated InlC interacts with and stabilizes the alarmin S100A9, which is a critical regulator of the immune response and inflammatory processes. Additionally, we show that ubiquitination of InlC causes an increase in reactive oxygen species production by neutrophils in mice and restricts Listeria infection. These findings are the first to identify a posttranscriptional modification of an internalin contributing to host defense.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Listeria/physiology , Listeriosis/metabolism , Listeriosis/microbiology , Calgranulin B/metabolism , Disease Susceptibility , Epithelial Cells , Humans , Ubiquitination
12.
mBio ; 10(4)2019 08 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31455648

ABSTRACT

Various bacterial pathogens display an intracellular lifestyle and spread from cell to cell through actin-based motility (ABM). ABM requires actin polymerization at the bacterial pole and is mediated by the expression of bacterial factors that hijack the host cell actin nucleation machinery or exhibit intrinsic actin nucleation properties. It is increasingly recognized that bacterial ABM factors, in addition to having a crucial task during the intracellular phase of infection, display "moonlighting" adhesin functions, such as bacterial aggregation, biofilm formation, and host cell adhesion/invasion. Here, we review our current knowledge of ABM factors and their additional functions, and we propose that intracellular ABM functions have evolved from ancestral, extracellular adhesin functions.


Subject(s)
Actins/metabolism , Bacteria/pathogenicity , Bacterial Physiological Phenomena , Biofilms/growth & development , Bacterial Adhesion , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Humans , Listeria/pathogenicity , Listeria/physiology , Shigella/pathogenicity , Shigella/physiology
13.
J Food Prot ; 82(7): 1104-1109, 2019 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31199693

ABSTRACT

HIGHLIGHTS: Swine carcasses are often contaminated with Listeria spp. Heads are more contaminated than shoulders and thighs. Lairage time higher than 10 h is a risk factor for Listeria spp. contamination. Closed-cycle farms presented greater carcass contamination.


Subject(s)
Food Microbiology , Listeria , Pork Meat , Swine , Abattoirs , Animals , Farms , Italy , Listeria/physiology , Pork Meat/microbiology , Swine/microbiology
14.
J Food Prot ; 82(6): 971-979, 2019 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31099594

ABSTRACT

HIGHLIGHTS: Thermal and nonthermal methods can support a 5-log CFU reduction of model bacteria introduced into tiger nut milk. Thermal treatment of tiger nut milk results in significant loss of protein, antioxidants, and quality properties. HHP or UV-C treatment of tiger nut milk retains quality and nutritional characteristics. HHP or UV-C are suitable for the pasteurization of tiger nut milk.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Physiological Phenomena , Food Microbiology , Hot Temperature , Hydrostatic Pressure , Microbial Viability , Nutritive Value , Vegetable Products , Animals , Bacterial Physiological Phenomena/radiation effects , Escherichia coli/physiology , Escherichia coli/radiation effects , Listeria/physiology , Listeria/radiation effects , Salmonella/physiology , Salmonella/radiation effects , Ultraviolet Rays , Vegetable Products/microbiology
15.
J Immunol ; 203(1): 117-126, 2019 07 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31127034

ABSTRACT

Access to nutrients is critical for an effective T cell immune response to infection. Although transporters for sugars and amino acids have previously been described in the context of the CD8+ T cell immune response, the active transport of exogenous fatty acids has remained enigmatic. In this study, we discovered that the sodium-dependent lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) transporter major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A (MFSD2A) is upregulated on activated CD8+ T cells and is required for memory T cell maintenance. MFSD2A deficiency in mice resulted in decreased import of LPC esterified to long chain fatty acids into activated CD8+ T cells, and MFSD2A-deficient cells are at a competitive disadvantage resulting in reduced memory T cell formation and maintenance and reduced response to secondary infection. Mechanistically, import of LPCs was required to maintain T cell homeostatic turnover, which when lost resulted in a decreased memory T cell pool and thus a reduced secondary response to repeat infection.


Subject(s)
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Listeria/physiology , Listeriosis/immunology , Symporters/metabolism , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Homeostasis , Immunologic Memory , Listeria/genetics , Lymphocyte Activation , Lysophosphatidylcholines/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Ovalbumin/immunology , Symporters/genetics , Up-Regulation
16.
Viruses ; 10(11)2018 11 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30428537

ABSTRACT

The genus Listeria includes foodborne pathogens that cause life-threatening infections in those at risk, and sensitive and specific methods for detection of these bacteria are needed. Based on their unrivaled host specificity and ability to discriminate viable cells, bacteriophages represent an ideal toolbox for the development of such methods. Here, the authors describe an ultrasensitive diagnostic protocol for Listeria by combining two phage-based strategies: (1) specific capture and concentration of target cells by magnetic separation, harnessing cell wall-binding domains from Listeria phage endolysins (CBD-MS); and (2) highly sensitive detection using an adaptation of the A511::luxAB bioluminescent reporter phage assay in a microwell plate format. The combined assay enabled direct detection of approximately 100 bacteria per ml of pure culture with genus-level specificity in less than 6 h. For contaminated foods, the procedure included a 16 h selective enrichment step, followed by CBD-MS separation and A511::luxAB detection. It was able to consistently detect extremely low numbers (0.1 to 1.0 cfu/g) of viable Listeria cells, in a total assay time of less than 22 h. These results demonstrate the superiority of this phage-based assay to standard culture-based diagnostic protocols for the detection of viable bacteria, with respect to both sensitivity and speed.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression , Genes, Reporter , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/diagnosis , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/microbiology , Listeria/physiology , Luminescent Measurements , Bacteriophages/genetics , Endopeptidases/genetics , Endopeptidases/metabolism , Listeria/virology , Luminescent Measurements/methods , Luminescent Measurements/standards , Sensitivity and Specificity , Workflow
17.
J Water Health ; 16(4): 614-621, 2018 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30067242

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to assess performance of waste stabilization ponds (WSPs) on the removal of Listeria spp. in Isfahan, Iran. A total of 104 samples were taken from eight sampling locations from influent and effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Sewage samples were analyzed for the presence of Listeria spp. using selective enrichment protocol. Listeria isolates were also identified by biochemical and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Listeria spp. was enumerated by a three tube most probable number (MPN) for total coliform counts (TC), fecal coliform counts (FC), total suspended solids (TSS), and total dissolved solids (TDS). In total, 54/104 (51.92%), 49/104 (47.11%), 36/104 (34.61%), and 27/104 (25.95%) samples were positive for Listeria spp., L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, and L. seeligeri, respectively. The mean MPN/100 mL enumeration of L. monocytogenes for influent, anaerobic, facultative ponds 1, 2, 3, 4 and maturation ponds 1 and 2 were 21.54, 10.61, 8, 5.77, 4, 2.54, 1.38, and 0.46, respectively. The removal percentage of Listeria spp. in the anaerobic, facultative, and maturation ponds were 44.71, 76.5, and 81.4%, respectively. Results showed that the WSPs were able to decrease the Listeria spp. levels significantly, although unable to remove them completely.


Subject(s)
Listeria/physiology , Ponds/microbiology , Waste Disposal, Fluid , Wastewater/microbiology , Water Microbiology , Water Purification/methods , Iran
18.
J Food Prot ; 81(9): 1481-1490, 2018 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30109972

ABSTRACT

Listeria species are ubiquitous in nature and can adapt to survive in a variety of niches, including food processing environments. Listeria species that colonize these environments may also have the potential to persist. Food safety strategies designed to manage these niches include regular cleaning and disinfection with proven sanitizers containing biocide-active compounds. Typically, these sanitizers are effective against bacteria growing under planktonic conditions, but their efficacy may be compromised when bacteria are contained in biofilms. The susceptibility of persistent Listeria isolates, i.e., those capable of forming biofilms, to a selection of sanitizers was investigated. A quaternary ammonium compound-based sanitizer was the biocide most effective against planktonic bacteria, with a MIC of 0.0015 to 0.006%. In contrast, ethanol-based sanitizers were the least effective. Although, no triclosan tolerance was observed for planktonic Listeria isolates, triclosan was the only biocide that resulted in a significant biomass reduction. Differences between Listeria species were observed; L. monocytogenes and L. welshimeri biofilms were more tolerant to quaternary ammonium compound-based sanitizers than were L. innocua biofilms. These findings extend our understanding of the application of commonly used sanitizers in the food industry and the efficacy of these sanitizers against Listeria species and their associated biofilms.


Subject(s)
Biofilms/growth & development , Disinfectants , Listeria , Biofilms/drug effects , Disinfectants/pharmacology , Food Contamination/prevention & control , Listeria/physiology , Plankton/drug effects , Plankton/growth & development
19.
PLoS Pathog ; 14(5): e1007060, 2018 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29782535

ABSTRACT

Containment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection requires T cell recognition of infected macrophages. Mtb has evolved to tolerate, evade, and subvert host immunity. Despite a vigorous and sustained CD8+ T cell response during Mtb infection, CD8+ T cells make limited contribution to protection. Here, we ask whether the ability of Mtb-specific T cells to restrict Mtb growth is related to their capacity to recognize Mtb-infected macrophages. We derived CD8+ T cell lines that recognized the Mtb immunodominant epitope TB10.44-11 and compared them to CD4+ T cell lines that recognized Ag85b240-254 or ESAT63-17. While the CD4+ T cells recognized Mtb-infected macrophages and inhibited Mtb growth in vitro, the TB10.4-specific CD8+ T cells neither recognized Mtb-infected macrophages nor restricted Mtb growth. TB10.4-specific CD8+ T cells recognized macrophages infected with Listeria monocytogenes expressing TB10.4. However, over-expression of TB10.4 in Mtb did not confer recognition by TB10.4-specific CD8+ T cells. CD8+ T cells recognized macrophages pulsed with irradiated Mtb, indicating that macrophages can efficiently cross-present the TB10.4 protein and raising the possibility that viable bacilli might suppress cross-presentation. Importantly, polyclonal CD8+ T cells specific for Mtb antigens other than TB10.4 recognized Mtb-infected macrophages in a MHC-restricted manner. As TB10.4 elicits a dominant CD8+ T cell response that poorly recognizes Mtb-infected macrophages, we propose that TB10.4 acts as a decoy antigen. Moreover, it appears that this response overshadows subdominant CD8+ T cell response that can recognize Mtb-infected macrophages. The ability of Mtb to subvert the CD8+ T cell response may explain why CD8+ T cells make a disproportionately small contribution to host defense compared to CD4+ T cells. The selection of Mtb antigens for vaccines has focused on antigens that generate immunodominant responses. We propose that establishing whether vaccine-elicited, Mtb-specific T cells recognize Mtb-infected macrophages could be a useful criterion for preclinical vaccine development.


Subject(s)
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Macrophages, Peritoneal/microbiology , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/growth & development , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/immunology , Animals , Antigens, Bacterial/immunology , Blotting, Western , Cell Line , Flow Cytometry , Listeria/physiology , Lung/cytology , Lung/microbiology , Macrophages, Peritoneal/drug effects , Macrophages, Peritoneal/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/immunology , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/radiation effects , Thioglycolates/pharmacology , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/microbiology
20.
J Food Prot ; 81(4): 582-592, 2018 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29517351

ABSTRACT

Biofilm formation on food contact surfaces is a potential hazard leading to cross-contamination during food processing. We investigated Listeria innocua biofilm formation on various food contact surfaces and compared the washing effect of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) at 30, 50, 70, and 120 ppm with that of 200 ppm of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) on biofilm cells. The risk of L. innocua biofilm transfer and growth on food at retail markets was also investigated. The viability of biofilms that formed on food contact surfaces and then transferred cells to duck meat was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. L. innocua biofilm formation was greatest on rubber, followed by polypropylene, glass, and stainless steel. Regardless of sanitizer type, washing removed biofilms from polypropylene and stainless steel better than from rubber and glass. Among the various SAEW concentrations, washing with 70 ppm of SAEW for 5 min significantly reduced L. innocua biofilms on food contact surfaces during food processing. Efficiency of transfer of L. innocua biofilm cells was the highest on polypropylene and lowest on stainless steel. The transferred biofilm cells grew to the maximum population density, and the lag time of transferred biofilm cells was longer than that of planktonic cells. The biofilm cells that transferred to duck meat coexisted with live, injured, and dead cells, which indicates that effective washing is essential to remove biofilm on food contact surfaces during food processing to reduce the risk of foodborne disease outbreaks.


Subject(s)
Biofilms , Ducks , Listeria/physiology , Red Meat/microbiology , Acids , Animals , Electrolysis , Food Handling , Food Microbiology , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Listeria/drug effects , Sodium Hypochlorite/pharmacology , Stainless Steel , Water
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...