Breaking boundaries in microbiology: customizable nanoparticles transforming microbial detection.

The detection and identification of microorganisms are crucial in microbiology laboratories. Traditionally, detecting and identifying microbes require extended periods of incubation, significant manual effort, skilled personnel, and advanced laboratory facilities. Recent progress in nanotechnology has provided novel opportunities for detecting and identifying bacteria, viruses, and microbial metabolites using customized nanoparticles. These improvements are thought to have the ability to surpass the constraints of existing procedures and make a substantial contribution to the development of rapid microbiological diagnosis. This review article examines the customizability of nanoparticles for detecting bacteria, viruses, and microbial metabolites and discusses recent cutting-edge studies demonstrating the use of nanotechnology in biomedical research.

Integrated decentralized blood culture incubation: A step towards a 24/7 microbiology service?

To have an impact on the mortality of bloodstream infections, microbiological diagnostics of blood cultures (BC) should provide first results within 12 h. Here, we show how a decentralized BC incubation connected to the central BC incubators via a browser-based application significantly reduces turnaround times.

Clarifications on the Intended Use of USP <61> Microbiological Examination of Nonsterile Products: Microbial Enumeration Tests.

In the execution of its legislated responsibilities, the United States Food and Drug Administration commonly refers to standard test methods detailed in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). Microbiological test methods (contained in general chapters) are listed in chapters <51> to <80> with details regarded as enforceable where referenced as a test method. USP <61> "Microbiological Examination of Nonsterile Products: Microbial Enumeration Tests" is a globally harmonized chapter that has been successfully employed for the enumeration of microorganisms recoverable from nonsterile finished drug products. The content of USP <61> is not always scientifically principled nor emphatically understood by all pharmaceutical microbiologists. Consequently, misunderstanding and misapplication of USP <61> may result in analyses and assessments of microbiological quality that are flawed or erroneous. In this article, clarification is provided to assist the pharmaceutical microbiologist in the appropriate and intended use of USP <61>, including provision of details not always commonly known or understood.

Evaluation of an automated rapid phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (ASTar, Q-linea AB) applied directly on blood cultures bottles positive for Gram-negative pathogens.

We evaluated the performance of a new rapid phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility test (ASTar; Q-linea AB) on Gram-negative bacilli, directly from positive blood cultures bottles. MIC values obtained by the routine reference method (Microscan, Beckman Coulter) were compared to the ones provided by the tested method (ASTar). ASTar demonstrated an overall essential agreement of 98% and a category agreement of 96.1%. The overall rate of major errors and very major errors was 2.5% and 3.3%, respectively. ASTar can represent a rapid, simple, and reliable method to speed up information about antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-negative pathogens from positive blood culture bottles.

Sonication protocols and their contributions to the microbiological diagnosis of implant-associated infections: a review of the current scenario.

Addressing the existing problem in the microbiological diagnosis of infections associated with implants and the current debate about the real power of precision of sonicated fluid culture (SFC), the objective of this review is to describe the methodology and analyze and compare the results obtained in current studies on the subject. Furthermore, the present study also discusses and suggests the best parameters for performing sonication. A search was carried out for recent studies in the literature (2019-2023) that addressed this research topic. As a result, different sonication protocols were adopted in the studies analyzed, as expected, and consequently, there was significant variability between the results obtained regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the technique in relation to the traditional culture method (periprosthetic tissue culture - PTC). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) and Staphylococcus aureus were identified as the main etiological agents by SFC and PTC, with SFC being important for the identification of pathogens of low virulence that are difficult to detect. Compared to chemical biofilm displacement methods, EDTA and DTT, SFC also produced variable results. In this context, this review provided an overview of the most current scenarios on the topic and theoretical support to improve sonication performance, especially with regard to sensitivity and specificity, by scoring the best parameters from various aspects, including sample collection, storage conditions, cultivation methods, microorganism identification techniques (both phenotypic and molecular) and the cutoff point for colony forming unit (CFU) counts. This study demonstrated the need for standardization of the technique and provided a theoretical basis for a sonication protocol that aims to achieve the highest levels of sensitivity and specificity for the reliable microbiological diagnosis of infections associated with implants and prosthetic devices, such as prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). However, practical application and additional complementary studies are still needed.

Endoscope sampling and culturing methods.

BACKGROUND: Contamination rates reported in the literature for patient-ready flexible endoscopes vary from 0.4% to 49%. Unfortunately, the comparison and interpretation of these results is almost impossible since several factors including sampling and culturing methods, target levels for contamination, or definition of indicator micro-organisms vary widely from one study to the other. AIM: To compare the efficacy of six duodenoscope sampling and culturing methods by means of extraction efficacy comparison, while at the same time identifying key parameters that provide optimal microbial recovery. METHODS: The duodenoscope sample extraction efficacy of each method was assessed using the repetitive recovery method described in ISO 11737-1: 2018. FINDINGS: Mean overall bioburden extraction efficacy varied from 1% for the Australian method to 39% for the French one. The lowest endoscope sample extraction efficacy was associated with the absence of any neutralizer, friction, or tensioactive agent, and when only a small portion of the sampling solution collected was inoculated on to culture media. The efficacy of the sampling and culturing methods also varied according to the nature of micro-organisms present in the endoscope, and the time between sampling and culturing. CONCLUSION: This study supports the need for a harmonized and standardized sampling and culturing method for flexible endoscopes.

The clinical value of mNGS of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid versus traditional microbiological tests for pathogen identification and prognosis of severe pneumonia (NT-BALF):study protocol for a prospective multi-center randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Early, rapid, and accurate pathogen diagnosis can help clinicians select targeted treatment options, thus improving prognosis and reducing mortality rates of severe pneumonia. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has a higher sensitivity and broader pathogen spectrum than traditional microbiological tests. However, the effects of mNGS-based antimicrobial treatment procedures on clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness in patients with severe pneumonia have not been evaluated. METHODS: This is a regional, multi-center, open, prospective, randomized controlled trial to evaluate that whether the combination of mNGS and traditional testing methods could decrease 28-day call-cause mortality with moderate cost-effectiveness. A total of 192 patients with severe pneumonia will be recruited from four large tertiary hospitals in China. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid will be obtained in all patients and randomly assigned to the study group (mNGS combined with traditional microbiological tests) or the control group (traditional microbiological tests only) in a 1:1 ratio. Individualized antimicrobial treatment and strategy will be selected according to the analysis results. The primary outcome is 28-day all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes are ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), ventilator-free days and ICU-free days, consistency between mNGS and traditional microbiological tests, detective rate of mNGS and traditional microbiological tests, turn-out time, time from group allocation to start of treatment, duration of vasopressor support, types and duration of anti-infective regimens, source of drug-resistant bacteria or fungi, and ICU cost. DISCUSSION: The clinical benefits of mNGS are potentially significant, but its limitations should also be considered. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChineseClinicalTrialRegistry.org, ChiCTR2300076853. Registered on 22 October 2023.

Practical Guidance for Clinical Microbiology Laboratories: Microbiologic diagnosis of implant-associated infections.

SUMMARYImplant-associated infections (IAIs) pose serious threats to patients and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. These infections may be difficult to diagnose due, in part, to biofilm formation on device surfaces, and because even when microbes are found, their clinical significance may be unclear. Despite recent advances in laboratory testing, IAIs remain a diagnostic challenge. From a therapeutic standpoint, many IAIs currently require device removal and prolonged courses of antimicrobial therapy to effect a cure. Therefore, making an accurate diagnosis, defining both the presence of infection and the involved microorganisms, is paramount. The sensitivity of standard microbial culture for IAI diagnosis varies depending on the type of IAI, the specimen analyzed, and the culture technique(s) used. Although IAI-specific culture-based diagnostics have been described, the challenge of culture-negative IAIs remains. Given this, molecular assays, including both nucleic acid amplification tests and next-generation sequencing-based assays, have been used. In this review, an overview of these challenging infections is presented, as well as an approach to their diagnosis from a microbiologic perspective.

Comparison of MBT biotargets with MBT steel targets for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry identifications of microorganisms in a clinical microbiology laboratory.

MALDI-TOF MS identifications of microorganisms in a clinical laboratory were investigated, comparing steel targets with MBT Biotargets. By using MBT Biotargets, the score values of yeast identifications increased, whereas the score values of Gram-negative bacteria decreased. Switching to MBT Biotargets did not negatively impact overall frequencies of high confidence identifications.

A systematic approach to microbial forensics.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic accelerated developments in biotechnology that underpin infection science. These advances present an opportunity to refresh the microbial forensic toolkit. Integration of novel analytical techniques with established forensic methods will speed up acquisition of evidence and better support lines of enquiry. A critical part of any such investigation is demonstration of a robust causal relationship and attribution of responsibility for an incident. In the wider context of a formal investigation into agency, motivation and intent, the quick and efficient assembly of microbiological evidence sets the tone and tempo of the entire investigation. Integration of established and novel analytical techniques from infection science into a systematic approach to microbial forensics will therefore ensure that major perspectives are correctly used to frame and shape the evidence into a clear narrative, while recognizing that forensic hypothesis generation, testing and refinement comprise an iterative process. Development of multidisciplinary training exercises that use this approach will enable translation into practice and efficient implementation when the need arises.

Nucleic acid hybridization-based detection of pathogenic RNA using microscale thermophoresis.

Infectious diseases are one of the world's leading causes of morbidity. Their rapid spread emphasizes the need for accurate and fast diagnostic methods for large-scale screening. Here, we describe a robust method for the detection of pathogens based on microscale thermophoresis (MST). The method involves the hybridization of a fluorescently labeled DNA probe to a target RNA and the assessment of thermophoretic migration of the resulting complex in solution within a 2 to 30-time window. We found that the thermophoretic migration of the nucleic acid-based probes is primarily determined by the fluorescent molecule used, rather than the nucleic acid sequence of the probe. Furthermore, a panel of uniformly labeled probes that bind to the same target RNA yields a more responsive detection pattern than a single probe, and moreover, can be used for the detection of specific pathogen variants. In addition, intercalating agents (ICA) can be used to alter migration directionality to improve detection sensitivity and resolving power by several orders of magnitude. We show that this approach can rapidly diagnose viral SARS-CoV2, influenza H1N1, artificial pathogen targets, and bacterial infections. Furthermore, it can be used for anti-microbial resistance testing within 2 h, demonstrating its diagnostic potential for early pathogen detection.

Characterization of bacterial diversity and capacity to remove lead of a consortium from mining soil / Caracterización de la diversidad bacteriana y capacidad de remoción de plomo de un consorcio en suelo minero

Introduction: At present, the presence of lead (Pb2+) continues to be a problem in water bodies due to its continuous use and high toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the bacterial diversity of a potential consortium used as a biosorbent for the removal of lead in an aqueous solution. Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration and the mean lethal dose of the consortium were determined, and then the optimal variables of pH and temperature for the removal process were obtained. With the optimal conditions, the kinetic behavior was evaluated, and adjustments were made to different mathematical models. A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis was performed to determine the functional groups of the biomass participating in the removal process, and the diversity of the bacterial consortium was evaluated during Pb2+ removal by an Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine System. Results: It was found that the intraparticle diffusion model was the one that described the adsorption kinetics showing a higher rate constant with a higher concentration of Pb2+, while the Langmuir model was that explained the isotherm at 35 °C, defining a maximum adsorption load for the consortium of 54 mg/g. In addition, it was found that Pb2+ modified the diversity and abundance of the bacterial consortium, detecting genera such as Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, among others. Conclusions: Thus, it can be concluded that the bacterial consortium from mining soil was a biosorbent with the ability to tolerate high concentrations of Pb2+ exposure. The population dynamics during adsorption showed enrichment of Proteobacteria phyla, with a wide range of bacterial families and genera capable of resisting and removing Pb2+ in solution.(AU)

Understanding the Non-Equivalency of Bio-Fluorescent Particle Counts versus the Colony-Forming Unit.

Adopting emerging microbiological methods is often desirable because it enables more advantageous, real-time monitoring practices. However, when the newer method measures contamination based on a different detection principle and provides results that are based on different units of measure, a paradigm shift is necessary. That shift can be one of the most difficult challenges in any such project and requires careful consideration. In this article, we explore the challenges presented by the bio-fluorescent particle counting (BFPC) technology, when considering that the traditional colony-forming unit (CFU) is the gold standard that any change is measured against. We examine why attempts to correlate newer units of measure used by biofluorescent particle counters, namely the auto-fluorescent units (AFUs), to the traditional CFUs are not necessarily appropriate. The article explores in depth why there is no consistent correlation factor between the two units of measure, and why that should not be a barrier to fully leveraging, implementing, and using such modern technologies in routine monitoring.

Head-to-head comparison of CAMPYAIR aerobic culture medium versus standard microaerophilic culture for Campylobacter isolation from clinical samples.

Campylobacter spp. are considered the most frequent cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. However, outside high-income countries, its burden is poorly understood. Limited published data suggest that Campylobacter prevalence in low- and middle-income countries is high, but their reservoirs and age distribution are different. Culturing Campylobacter is expensive due to laboratory equipment and supplies needed to grow the bacterium (e.g., selective culture media, microaerophilic atmosphere, and a 42°C incubator). These requirements limit the diagnostic capacity of clinical laboratories in many resource-poor regions, leading to significant underdiagnosis and underreporting of isolation of the pathogen. CAMPYAIR, a newly developed selective differential medium, permits Campylobacter isolation without the need for microaerophilic incubation. The medium is supplemented with antibiotics to allow Campylobacter isolation in complex matrices such as human feces. The present study aims to evaluate the ability of the medium to recover Campylobacter from routine clinical samples. A total of 191 human stool samples were used to compare the ability of CAMPYAIR (aerobic incubation) and a commercial Campylobacter medium (CASA, microaerophilic incubation) to recover Campylobacter. All Campylobacter isolates were then identified by MALDI-TOF MS. CAMPYAIR showed sensitivity and specificity values of 87.5% (95% CI 47.4%-99.7%) and 100% (95% CI 98%-100%), respectively. The positive predictive value of CAMPYAIR was 100% and its negative predictive value was 99.5% (95% CI 96.7%-99.9%); Kappa Cohen coefficient was 0.93 (95% CI 0.79-1.0). The high diagnostic performance and low technical requirements of the CAMPYAIR medium could permit Campylobacter culture in countries with limited resources.

MicrobiomeAnalyst 2.0: comprehensive statistical, functional and integrative analysis of microbiome data.

Microbiome studies have become routine in biomedical, agricultural and environmental sciences with diverse aims, including diversity profiling, functional characterization, and translational applications. The resulting complex, often multi-omics datasets demand powerful, yet user-friendly bioinformatics tools to reveal key patterns, important biomarkers, and potential activities. Here we introduce MicrobiomeAnalyst 2.0 to support comprehensive statistics, visualization, functional interpretation, and integrative analysis of data outputs commonly generated from microbiome studies. Compared to the previous version, MicrobiomeAnalyst 2.0 features three new modules: (i) a Raw Data Processing module for amplicon data processing and taxonomy annotation that connects directly with the Marker Data Profiling module for downstream statistical analysis; (ii) a Microbiome Metabolomics Profiling module to help dissect associations between community compositions and metabolic activities through joint analysis of paired microbiome and metabolomics datasets; and (iii) a Statistical Meta-Analysis module to help identify consistent signatures by integrating datasets across multiple studies. Other important improvements include added support for multi-factor differential analysis and interactive visualizations for popular graphical outputs, updated methods for functional prediction and correlation analysis, and expanded taxon set libraries based on the latest literature. These new features are demonstrated using a multi-omics dataset from a recent type 1 diabetes study. MicrobiomeAnalyst 2.0 is freely available at microbiomeanalyst.ca.

MALDI-TOF as a tool for microbiological monitoring in areas considered aseptic.

To maintain asepsis in production environments, contamination must be constantly controlled. To this end, microbiological monitoring is constantly used with the objective of evaluating the incidence of microorganisms prevalent in the sampling of air, surface, and people, in the area of an environment considered aseptic, isolated, and identified using the rapid and automated phenotypic microbiological methodology, highlighting the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis technique (MS), being identified at the level of genus and/or species. For that purpose, microbiological control of environmental monitoring of environments considered aseptic in a pharmaceutical industry was conducted for 12 months. The isolated microorganisms were identified using the mass spectrometry identification method (MALDI-TOF). In area classification A, the most prevalent microorganisms were bacteria in the sampling person. The microbial population was composed of bacteria of the genus Micrococcus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. Based on the results, it is possible to observe that in an environment where the process requires human operations, possible microbial contamination is inevitable and requires the identification of microorganisms at least at the level of species and/or genus. The microorganisms identified and found in the sampling of the aseptic environment must be evaluated with frequency to ensure that the productive environment guarantees the quality of the product produced.

Diagnostic Performance of BD Phoenix CPO Detect Panels for Detection and Classification of Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria.

BD Phoenix CPO Detect panels can identify and classify carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs) simultaneously with antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for Gram-negative bacteria. Detection and classification of carbapenemase producers were performed using the BD Phoenix CPO Detect panels NMIC/ID-441 for Enterobacterales, NMIC/ID-442 for nonfermenting bacteria, and NMIC-440 for both. The results were compared with those obtained using comparator methods. A total of 133 strains (32 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 37 Enterobacter cloacae complex, 33 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 31 Acinetobacter baumannii complex strains), including 60 carbapenemase producers (54 imipenemases [IMPs] and 6 OXA type), were analyzed. Using panels NMIC-440 and NMIC/ID-441 or NMIC/ID-442, all 54 IMP producers were accurately identified as CPOs (positive percent agreement [PPA], 100.0%; 54/54). Among the 54 IMP producers identified as CPOs using panels NMIC-440 and NMIC/ID-441, 12 and 14 Enterobacterales were not resistant to carbapenem, respectively. Among all 54 IMP producers, 48 (88.9%; 48/54) were correctly classified as Ambler class B using panel NMIC-440. Using panels NMIC-440 and NMIC/ID-442, all four OXA-23-like carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii complex strains (100.0%, 4/4) were correctly identified as CPOs, and three (75.0%, 3/4) were precisely classified as class D using panel NMIC-440. Both carbapenemase producers harboring the blaISAba1-OXA-51-like gene were incorrectly identified as non-CPOs using panels NMIC-440 and NMIC/ID-442. For detecting carbapenemase producers, the overall PPA and negative percent agreement (NPA) between panel NMIC-440 and the comparator methods were 96.7% (58/60) and 71.2% (52/73), respectively, and the PPA and NPA between panels NMIC/ID-441 or NMIC/ID-442 and the comparator methods were 96.7% (58/60) and 74.0% (54/73), respectively. BD Phoenix CPO Detect panels can successfully screen carbapenemase producers, particularly IMP producers, regardless of the presence of carbapenem resistance and can be beneficial in routine AST workflows. IMPORTANCE Simple and efficient screening methods of detecting carbapenemase producers are required. BD Phoenix CPO Detect panels effectively screened carbapenemase producers, particularly IMP producers, with a high overall PPA. As the panels enable automatic screening for carbapenemase producers simultaneously with AST, the workflow from AST to confirmatory testing for carbapenemase production can be shortened. In addition, because carbapenem resistance varies among carbapenemase producers, the BD Phoenix CPO Detect panels, which can screen carbapenemase producers regardless of carbapenem susceptibility, can contribute to the accurate detection of carbapenemase producers. Our results report that these panels can help streamline the AST workflow before confirmatory testing for carbapenemase production in routine microbiological tests.

A lab-on-a-chip utilizing microwaves for bacterial spore disruption and detection.

Bacterial spores are problematic in agriculture, the food industry, and healthcare, with the fallout costs from spore-related contamination being very high. Spores are difficult to detect since they are resistant to many of the bacterial disruption techniques used to bring out the biomarkers necessary for detection. Because of this, effective and practical spore disruption methods are desirable. In this study, we demonstrate the efficiency of a compact microfluidic lab-on-chip built around a coplanar waveguide (CPW) operating at 2.45 GHz. We show that the CPW generates an electric field hotspot of ∼10 kV/m, comparable to that of a commercial microwave oven, while using only 1.2 W of input power and thus resulting in negligible sample heating. Spores passing through the microfluidic channel are disrupted by the electric field and release calcium dipicolinic acid (CaDPA), a biomarker molecule present alongside DNA in the spore core. We show that it is possible to detect this disruption in a bulk spore suspension using fluorescence spectroscopy. We then use laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy (LTRS) to show the loss of CaDPA on an individual spore level and that the loss increases with irradiation power. Only 22% of the spores contain CaDPA after exposure to 1.2 W input power, compared to 71% of the untreated control spores. Additionally, spores exposed to microwaves appear visibly disrupted when imaged using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Overall, this study shows the advantages of using a CPW for disrupting spores for biomarker release and detection.

Performance Equivalence and Validation of a Rapid Microbiological Method for Detection and Quantification of Yeast and Mold in an Antacid Oral Suspension.

Alternative and rapid microbiological methods can be effective replacements for more traditional plating approaches for ensuring quality and safety in the pharmaceutical industry. This article compares the efficacy of the Soleris automated method and the traditional plate-count method for the quantitative detection of yeasts and molds at three different microbial bioburden levels. Validation testing was carried out using an antacid oral suspension (aluminum hydroxide 4% + magnesium hydroxide 4% + simethicone 0.4%). Equivalence of data between detection time and colony-forming units was established for both the alternative and the conventional methodologies. Using probability of detection, linear Poisson regression, Fisher's test, and multifactorial analysis of variance (ANOVA), all results from the rapid method were shown to be in statistical agreement with the those of the reference plating procedures. The limits of detection and quantification were statistically similar for both methods (Fisher's exact test, P > 0.05), showing that the alternative method is not inferior in performance to the reference method. Essential validation parameters such as precision (standard deviation <5, coefficient of variance <35%), accuracy (>70%), linearity (R2 >0.9025), ruggedness (ANOVA, P < 0.05), operative range, and specificity were determined. It was shown that all the test results obtained using the alternative method were in statistical agreement with the those of the standard plate-count method. Thus, this new technology was found to meet all the validation criteria needed to be considered as an alternative method for yeast and mold quantification in the antacid oral suspension tested. However, taking into account that the present validation was carried out utilizing A. brasiliensis and C. albicans as suitable models for yeasts and molds and with an antacid oral suspension as a pharmaceutical matrix, further investigation will be required to qualify Soleris technology for other environmental isolates and recovery of these isolates from production batches.

Análise microbiológica de sushi comercializado em Rio Branco, Acre / Microbiological analysis of sushi marketed in Rio Branco, Acre / Análisis microbiológico de sushi comercializado en Rio Branco, Acre

O Brasil é um dos países mais diversificados no ramo gastronômico oferecendo vários alimentos diferentes aos seus consumidores, com base nos próprios pratos típicos ou provenientes de outras culturas. O pescado trata-se de um alimento perecível que necessita de atenções especiais em seu processamento. Falhas nas condições higiênico-sanitárias, associadas com a não cocção do alimento, podem ocasionar em uma contaminação e proliferação de bactérias, o que leva à uma grande preocupação a nível de saúde pública. O estudo analisou os aspectos microbiológicos de sushi comercializado na cidade de Rio Branco ­ Acre verificando os parâmetros de qualidade e as condições higiênicas sanitárias, comparando os resultados obtidos com a legislação vigente estabelecida pela ANVISA. Foram escolhidos 5 estabelecimentos aleatoriamente, sendo escolhidas 3 amostras de sushis do tipo niguiri de cada. As análises microbiológicas incluíram coliformes totais e coliformes termotolerantes utilizando a técnica dos tubos multiplos e a técnica de semeadura por profundidade para mesófilos e Salmonella. Constatou-se que todas as amostras tiveram um crescimento bacteriano e presença sugestiva de Salmonella, tornando o alimento impróprio para o consumo e mostrando uma falha nas condições higiênico- sanitária ao qual o sushi é processado e armazenado. É necessário maior fiscalização dos órgãos responsáveis e cuidado dos estabelecimentos que vendem sushi na cidade de Rio Branco, para que o produto vendido seja de boa qualidade e não cause malefícios a saúde de quem o consome.(AU)

Brazil is one of the most diversified countries in the gastronomic field, offering several different foods to its consumers, based on typical dishes or from other cultures. Fish is a perishable food that requires special attention in its processing. Failures in hygienic-sanitary conditions, coupled with the consumption of undercooked food, can lead to contamination and the proliferation of bacteria, which raises significant concerns regarding public health. The study analyzed the microbiological aspects of sushi sold in the city of Rio Branco - Acre, verifying the quality parameters and the hygienic sanitary conditions, comparing the obtained results with the current legislation established by ANVISA. Five establishments were randomly selected, and three samples of nigiri sushi were chosen from each establishment. The microbiological analysis included total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms using the multiple tube technique, as well as depth seeding technique for mesophiles and Salmonella. It was found that all samples exhibited bacterial growth and suggested the presence of Salmonella, rendering the food unsuitable for consumption and indicating a failure in the hygienic-sanitary conditions under which the sushi was processed and stored. Greater inspection by the responsible authorities and improved care by establishments selling sushi in the city of Rio Branco are necessary to ensure that the product sold is of good quality and does not pose harm to the health of consumers.(AU)

Brasil es uno de los países más diversificados en el campo gastronómico, ofreciendo muchos alimentos diferentes a sus consumidores, basados en platos típicos ode otras culturas El pescado es un alimento perecedero que necesita especial atención en su elaboración. Las fallas en las condiciones, higiénico-sanitarias asociadas a la no cocción de los alimentos, pueden conducir a la contaminación y proliferación de bacterias, lo que genera una gran preocupación en términos de salud pública. El estudio analizó los aspectos microbiológicos del sushi comercializado en la ciudad de Rio Branco - Acre, verificando los parámetros de calidad y las condiciones higiénicas sanitarias, comparando los resultados obtenidos con la legislación vigente establecida por la ANVISA. Se eligieron 5 establecimientos al azar, y de cada uno se escogieron 3 muestras de sushi niguiri. Los análisis microbiológicos incluyeron coliformes totales y coliformes termotolerantes mediante la técnica de tubos múltiples y la técnica de siembra profunda para mesófilos y Salmonella. Se encontró que todas las muestras presentaban crecimiento bacteriano y la sugestiva presencia de Salmonella, lo que hace que el alimento no sea apto para el consumo y presenta una falla en las condiciones higiénico-sanitarias en las que se procesa y almacena el sushi. Se necesita mayor fiscalización por parte de los órganos responsables y cuidado de los establecimientos que venden sushi en la ciudad de Rio Branco, para que el producto vendido sea de buena calidad y no cause daño a la salud de quien lo consume.(AU)