Occurrence and characterization of food-borne pathogens isolated from fruit, vegetables and sprouts retailed in the Czech Republic.

Food of non-animal origin is a major component of the human diet and has been considered to pose a low risk from the point of view of bacteriological safety. However, an increase in the number of outbreaks of illness caused by such pathogens and linked to the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables have been reported from around the world recently. Salmonella spp., STEC (Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli) and Listeria monocytogenes are among the most frequently identified agents. Additionally, the transmission of antibiotic resistant strains including also the methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) to humans via the food chain is one of the greatest public health problems being confronted today. Therefore, we focused on the bacterial safety of fruit, vegetables and sprouts on sale in the Czech Republic. One strain (0.3%) of Salmonella Enteritidis phage type PT8, one strain (0.3%) of MRSA and 17 strains (5.0%) of L. monocytogenes were isolated from a total of 339 collected samples. The most problematic commodities were frozen fruit and vegetables (packed and unpacked) and fresh-cut vegetables. Our findings indicate deficiencies in hygiene practices during harvesting, processing and distribution of these commodities. Although sprouts and berries are the most likely to be contaminated by human pathogens, only two samples were positive for the presence of L. monocytogenes.

Characterization of Cronobacter spp. isolated from food of plant origin and environmental samples collected from farms and from supermarkets in the Czech Republic.

The Cronobacter genus (previously known as Enterobacter sakazakii) comprises seven species (Cronobacter sakazakii, Cronobacter malonaticus, Cronobacter muytjensii, Cronobacter turicensis, Cronobacter dublinensis, Cronobacter universalis and Cronobacter condimenti)which cause serious infections in neonates and immunocompromised people.Most of the documented outbreaks of these bacteria have been associated with consumption of contaminated powdered infant formula. The plant environment is considered to be the natural habitat of these bacteria. Therefore, a total number of 563 samples of vegetables, fruit, water and environmental swabs were collected from local farms and supermarkets in the Czech Republic and investigated for the presence of Cronobacter spp. The obtained 45 isolates (8.0%) were further characterized by phenotyping (antimicrobial resistance, capsule and pigment production) and genotyping (fusA sequencing,MLST, PCR-serotyping) methods. Most of the Cronobacter isolates (42.2%) were identified as C. sakazakii, followed by C. turicensis (31.1%), C. dublinensis (22.2%), C. malonaticus (2.2%) and C. universalis (2.2%). The 25 identified sequence types, out of which 17 were unique for only one strain, indicated a high diversity of strains. C. sakazakii sequence type 4 (ST 4), which has been associated with many cases of meningitis, was isolated only in one case. A strong association of C. turicensis and C. dublinensis with the plant environment can be deduced from our results.

[Dogs as a possible source of human Campylobacter infecfions]. / Psi jako mozný zdroj jampylobakterových infekcí cloveka.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to obtain current information on the prevalence and species representation of bacteria of the genus Campylobacter in dogs in Moravia and to evaluate the risk factors affecting their occurrence with respect to possible transmission to the human population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rectal swabs of dogs obtained in the routine practice of veterinarians in the South Moravian and Olomouc -regions were examined from May 2013 to December 2014. The basic tests were performed in laboratories of the State Veterinary Institute in Olomouc and the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno. To detect Campylobacter spp., the samples were cultured on mCCDA (modified charcoal-cefoperazone-deoxycholate agar). Suspected colonies were confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS (Biotyper Microflex, Bruker) or using specific PCR which allows to distinguish between the species C. jejuni, C. coli, C. lari and C. upsaliensis. A detailed history was obtained from questionnaires completed by the dog owners. RESULTS: From a total of 258 rectal swabs examined, 41 samples were positive (16 %). The most frequently detected species was C. jejuni, followed by C. upsaliensis a C. coli. There was only one sample of C. lari. The evaluation of the questionnaire data showed that the frequency of Campylobacter spp. and their species representation depended on the age of the animals, the composition of feed and the clinical signs of the disease. CONCLUSION: Young dogs on a homemade diet and with diarrhea may be considered a risk group in terms of possible transmission of Campylobacter infections from pets to humans. Households with young children are the most affected group in the Czech Republic and EU countries. As such, they should be given a high priority with respect to the basic hygiene rules if they breed dogs, especially puppies.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria in freshwater fish and fish products intended for human consumption.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are potentially pathogenic agents commonly found in natural ecosystems, while food is considered to be another source of NTM for humans. We investigated a total of 92 tissue samples of freshwater fish and fish products: fish directly obtained from ponds (n=25), retail fresh (n=23) and frozen fish (n=23) and smoked fish products (n=21). Culture examination for the presence of mycobacteria was positive in 11 (11.9%) from all the examined samples. The 15 obtained isolates were identified as Mycobacterium fortuitum (n=5), M. immunogenum (n=2), M. phocaicum/ mucogenicum (n=1), M. neoaurum (n=2), M. peregrinum (n=2), M. porcinum (n=1) and M. senegalense/houstonense/conceptionense (n=2). NTM DNA was found in one (4.0%) sample of fresh fish from ponds and in 60.9% and 91.3% of retail fresh and frozen fish, respectively. None of the smoked fish products contained NTM DNA. The results of our study suggest that freshwater fish and fish products, especially retail frozen fish, might be a reservoir of NTM for humans, and proper handling and treatment before consumption of such products is recommended.

Retrospective analysis of 25 women with malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes--treatment results.

PURPOSE: Mastectomy without axillary dissection should be the standard treatment in patients with malignant form of cystosarcoma phyllodes. The role of postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy remains to be fully established. We evaluate treatment results in a group of patients with cystosarcoma phyllodes (CP) treated at our Institute. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this report we analyze treatment outcome in 25 patients with malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes treated at Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute between 1970 and 1995. Mean tumor size was 10 cm in diameter. All patients underwent surgery. Subsequently, 17 patients (68%) received radiotherapy on the breast or chest wall. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 139.5 months. Local recurrence was observed in 16% of all patients and all patients with local recurrence died. Time to local relapse after surgery was 4-11 months. Distant metastases occurred in 5 patients. All patients with local recurrence had distant metastases. Dissemination occurred 3-19 months after local recurrence. Five-year survival of all patients was 80%. CONCLUSION: A specific protocol for the treatment of cystosarcoma phyllodes is missing, probably due to rarity of the disease. The treatment of local recurrent disease remains unsuccessful in most CP patients. We recommend postoperative irradiation on the chest wall in patients with malignant form of CP, because adjuvant radiotherapy decreased the incidence of local relapse in our group of patients.