Microbiology

Editorial Material Infectious Diseases

Validation of dried blood spot for serological diagnosis of Hepatitis B and C: a multicentric study

Arati Mane, Reshu Agarwal, Meenu Bajpai, Suvarna Sane, Pallavi Vidhate, Partha Rakshit, Preeti Madan, Hema Gogia, Priya Abraham, Sandhya Kabra, Ekta Gupta

Summary: The present study aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of dried blood spot (DBS) for HBsAg and anti-HCV detection using CLIA in three different laboratories across India. DBS can be a simple and convenient alternative to plasma or serum for HBsAg detection, but site-specific validation of the assay is necessary for anti-HCV detection.

DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE (2024)

Article Food Science & Technology

Reduction of PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheese making duration: Microbial dynamics and quality attributes deriving from replacing whey permeate with hot water during cooking

Massimo Todaro, Giuliana Garofalo, Gabriele Busetta, Riccardo Gannuscio, Ambra Rita Di Rosa, Maria Luisa Scatassa, Cinzia Cardamone, Isabella Mancuso, Elena Franciosi, Fatima Rando, Monica Agnolucci, Vincenzo Chiofalo, Raimondo Gaglio, Luca Settanni

Summary: This study aimed to reduce the production time of PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheese by comparing two cooking methods and assessing their impact on microbiological composition and lactic acid bacteria populations. The results showed that the different cooking methods did not affect the physicochemical characteristics of the cheese, and sensory evaluation confirmed that the modified production protocol did not significantly alter the product characteristics and overall acceptance. Therefore, cooking under hot water proved to be an effective way to reduce the transformation duration while maintaining the typicality of PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheese.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Food Science & Technology

Effects of ohmic heating with different voltages on the quality and microbial diversity of cow milk during thermal treatment and subsequent cold storage

Yingying Sun, Yana Liu, Weiwei Zhou, Lele Shao, Han Wang, Yijie Zhao, Bo Zou, Xingmin Li, Ruitong Dai

Summary: The study evaluates the effect of Ohmic heating (OH) at various voltage gradients and water bath on microbial inactivation, physicochemical and sensory properties, and microbial flora of pasteurized milk. Results show that OH with higher voltage effectively inactivates microorganisms, slows down lipid oxidation, and maintains sensory quality and amino acids content of milk. The microbial community in milk treated with OH remains relatively stable during storage.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Review Food Science & Technology

A systematic review on the occurrence of Salmonella in farmed Tenebrio molitor and Acheta domesticus or their derived products

Filippo Marzoli, Michela Bertola, Juliane Pinarelli Fazion, Giulia Cento, Pietro Antonelli, Beatrice Dolzan, Lisa Barco, Simone Belluco

Summary: Insects are a sustainable and protein-rich food source, and Salmonella is a common pathogen in insects. This systematic review aims to collect and evaluate existing studies on the occurrence of Salmonella in crickets and mealworms. Although the number of studies is limited and there are some limitations, this review highlights the importance of obtaining reliable data on the presence of Salmonella in insects, considering the growing market and increased farming scale.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Food Science & Technology

Influence of sampling location and processing on the assembly and network of Polygoni Multiflori Radix surface microbiome

Guangfei Wei, Yichuan Liang, Guozhuang Zhang, Zhaoyu Zhang, Yongqing Zhang, Shilin Chen, Linlin Dong

Summary: This study investigated the presence of fungi on the surface of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb and found that it is easily contaminated by toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins, posing a health risk for consumers. The results also showed that sampling location and processing can influence the assembly and network complexity of the surface microbiome of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Food Science & Technology

The wooden shelf surface and cheese rind mutually exchange microbiota during the traditional ripening process

Gabriele Busetta, Giuliana Garofalo, Salvatore Claps, Maria Teresa Sardina, Elena Franciosi, Antonio Alfonzo, Nicola Francesca, Giancarlo Moschetti, Luca Settanni, Raimondo Gaglio

Summary: This study evaluates the microbial diversity of wooden shelves used for the ripening of PDO Pecorino di Filiano and PGI Canestrato di Moliterno cheeses. The results show a strict correlation between the microbiota of wooden shelves and cheese rinds, indicating the positive role of wooden shelves in the cheese ripening process.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Food Science & Technology

Comparison of molecular techniques for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in raw bovine milk from small rural properties in Brazil

Suzane Manzini, Thaina Valente Bertozzo, Isabella Neves Aires, Nassarah Jabur Lot Rodrigues, Amanda Bezerra Bertolini, Marcela Alexandrino, Jackieline Sampaio Steinle, Renata Pimentel Bandeira de Melo, Rinaldo Aparecido Mota, Maria Izabel Merino de Medeiros, Virginia Bodelao Richini-Pereira, Vera Claudia Lorenzetti Magalhaes Curci, Simone Baldini Lucheis

Summary: This study detected Toxoplasma gondii DNA in raw bovine milk samples from expansion tanks in small properties located in different cities of the Midwest region of Sa similar to o Paulo, Brazil using PCR. The results showed that the TgNP1 and TgNP2 genes were more efficient in detecting T. gondii DNA, highlighting the importance of raw bovine milk as a potential source of human infections caused by this parasite, and emphasizing the need for proper pasteurization and further understanding of the epidemiology of this protozoan.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Food Science & Technology

Bacteriophages PECP14, PECP20, and their endolysins as effective biocontrol agents for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other foodborne pathogens

Minjin Oh, Ana Cevallos-Urena, Byoung Sik Kim

Summary: In this study, two bacteriophages, PECP14 and PECP20, infecting Escherichia coli O157:H7 were isolated and found to be stable under different environmental conditions. These phages exhibited specificity in targeting different host receptors and demonstrated the ability to infect other foodborne pathogens. The efficacy of phage treatment was demonstrated through rapid adsorption and bacterial lysis. Furthermore, purified endolysins derived from these phages showed remarkable bacteriolytic activity not only against E. coli O157:H7 but also against other pathogens. These findings suggest that these phages and their endolysins can be used for biological control of E. coli O157:H7 in various stages of agricultural product production.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Food Science & Technology

Salmonella in horses at slaughter and public health effects in Italy

Luca Bolzoni, Mauro Conter, Luca Lamperti, Erika Scaltriti, Marina Morganti, Antonio Poeta, Marco Vecchi, Silvia Paglioli, Alessandra Rampini, Paolo Ramoni, Daniela De Vita, Cristina Bacci, Martina Rega, Laura Andriani, Stefano Pongolini, Silvia Bonardi

Summary: This study assessed the role of equids as carriers of Salmonella and the occurrence of contaminated equid carcasses during the slaughter process. Salmonella was detected in a small percentage of equids' caecal contents, but not in carcass samples. Additionally, a genetic match was found between Salmonella strains from horse caecal contents and human cases, suggesting a link between horse meat consumption and salmonellosis.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Review Food Science & Technology

Comparison of Listeria monocytogenes alternative detection methods for food microbiology official controls in Europe

Lucas Chikhi, Melanie Mancier, Hubert Brugere, Bertrand Lombard, Lyazrhi Faouzi, Laurent Guillier, Nathalie Gnanou Besse

Summary: Listeriosis is a severe foodborne disease with a high mortality rate, mainly caused by L. monocytogenes. The EU regulation sets qualitative or quantitative food safety criteria for L. monocytogenes and recommends the use of EN ISO 11290-1 as the reference detection method. Our study compares alternative certified methods for detecting L. monocytogenes, highlighting the importance of diversifying available detection methods.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Food Science & Technology

Effect of multiple nonthermal plasma treatments of filamentous fungi on cellular phenotypic changes and phytopathogenicity

Daria Nowinski, Tomasz Czapka, Irena Maliszewska

Summary: The effect of multiple sublethal doses of non-thermal plasma treatments on phenotypical changes and the reduction in phytopathogenicity of three species of fungi was investigated. The plasma damaged the surface of the fungal hyphae, decreased their dry biomass, and affected the activity of pectinase and xylanase. Furthermore, the plasma treatments increased the germination rate of artificially infected cucumber seeds and resulted in plants with higher biomass and longer roots and stems. However, the reduction in phytopathogenicity was not complete after the multiple plasma treatments.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Food Science & Technology

Ultralow temperature high pressure processing enhances inactivation of norovirus surrogates

Christina A. M. DeWitt, Kevin A. Nelson, Hyung Joo Kim, David H. Kingsley

Summary: High pressure processing (HPP) is a non-thermal method that can effectively inactivate pathogens. Research has shown that applying high pressure to thawed samples in an ultra-low temperature environment enhances the inactivation of norovirus.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Microbiology

Techniques and mechanisms of bacteria immobilization on biochar for further environmental and agricultural applications

Vera Analise Schommer, Mateus Torres Nazari, Flavia Melara, Julia Catiane Arenhart Braun, Alan Rempel, Lara Franco dos Santos, Valdecir Ferrari, Luciane Maria Colla, Aline Dettmer, Jeferson Steffanello Piccin

Summary: This review introduces the techniques and mechanisms of bacteria immobilization on biochar, as well as its applications in bioremediation and agriculture. The immobilization characteristics of biochar depend on pyrolysis methods, raw materials, and properties of biochar. Scanning electron microscope and colony forming unit analysis are commonly used to verify the immobilization efficiency. Applying biochar-immobilized bacteria can improve soil quality, plant growth, and crop yield.

MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Infectious Diseases

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection of the gastric biopsy by rapid urease test, histopathology and Raman spectroscopy

Syed Iqbal Haider, Naeem Akhtar, Muhammad Saleem, Sheraz Ahmed, Shiza Nadeem, Maham Amjad, Faiz Ul Haq

Summary: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic potential of Raman spectroscopy with rapid urease test and histopathology in diagnosing H. pylori infection. The results showed that Raman spectroscopy had higher sensitivity, accuracy, and specificity compared to the rapid urease test and histopathology. This study demonstrates the applicability of Raman spectroscopy as an innovative detection tool for molecular diagnosis of H. pylori infection in gastritis.

DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE (2024)

Article Infectious Diseases

Original Identifying breeding hosts of Ixodes ricinus ticks using stable isotope analysis of their larvae - Proof of concept

Saana Sipari, Mikko Kiljunen, Minna Nylund, Eva R. Kallio

Summary: This study introduces a stable isotope analysis method to directly identify tick breeding hosts by sampling field collected larvae. The results show that stable isotope signatures can reflect the diet of the breeding host of the mother tick.

TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES (2024)

Article Infectious Diseases

Molecular detection of pre-ribosomal RNAs of Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guerin and Mycobacterium tuberculosis to enhance pre-clinical tuberculosis drug and vaccine development

Ming Chang, Sambasivan Venkatasubramanian, Holly Barrett, Kevin B. Urdahl, Kris M. Weigel, Gerard A. Cangelosi, Javeed A. Shah, Aparajita Saha, Libing Feng, Kristin N. Adams, David R. Sherman, Nahum Smith, Chetan Seshadri, Sean C. Murphy, James G. Kublin

Summary: Efforts are being made globally to develop vaccines and drugs against M. tuberculosis. This study developed a real-time RT-PCR assay to detect pre-rRNA as a biomarker for bacterial viability. The assay showed promising results in mouse models, indicating its potential in future clinical studies for tuberculosis drugs and vaccines.

DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE (2024)

Review Infectious Diseases

Current status of recombinase polymerase amplification technologies for the detection of pathogenic microorganisms

Shanshan Zhang, Mingyuan Duan, Shuang Li, Jie Hou, Ting Qin, Zhanwei Teng, Jianhe Hu, Huihui Zhang, Xiaojing Xia

Summary: Rapid detection of pathogenic microorganisms is crucial for epidemiologic identification, prevention, and control in public health. PCR-based methods have limitations in resource-limited areas due to the need for precise temperature control. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is a new nucleic acid amplification technology that can amplify DNA or RNA at a constant temperature, offering simplicity, high specificity and sensitivity, and short detection time. Microfluidic technology combined with RPA enables rapid detection of pathogenic microorganisms by integrating nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection.

DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE (2024)

Letter Infectious Diseases

The raising threat of CCHF in Afghanistan: Healthcare dilemmas and the need for comprehensive reponses

Ahmad Neyazi, Moeed-ul-Haq Fakhri, Nosaibah Razaqi, Habibah Afzali, Prakasini Satapathy, Sarvesh Rustagi, Bijaya Kumar Padhi, Mozhgan Ahamdi

NEW MICROBES AND NEW INFECTIONS (2024)

Article Immunology

Organ distribution and early pathogenesis of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in swine

Arthur Nery Finatto, Sulove Koirala, Fernanda Luiza Facioli, Jessica Aparecida Barbosa, Roman Nosach, Matheus de Oliveira Costa

Summary: The study revealed that Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus rapidly disseminated in various organs of pigs following oronasal inoculation, with tonsil samples consistently harboring the pathogen throughout the study period. The varying bacterial loads in mesenteric lymph nodes indicated persistence, replication, and a potential source for shedding.

COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2024)

Article Immunology

Genomic characterization of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-producing species of Morganellaceae, Yersiniaceae, and Enterobacteriaceae (other than Klebsiella) from Brazil over 2013-2022

Carlos Henrique Camargo, Amanda Yaeko Yamada, Andreia Rodrigues de Souza, Claudio Tavares Sacchi, Alex Domingos Reis, Marlon Benedito Nascimento Santos, Denise Brandao de Assis, Eneas de Carvalho, Elizabeth Harummyy Takagi, Marcos Paulo Vieira Cunha, Monique Ribeiro Tiba-Casas

Summary: This study reveals the silent spread of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) carbapenemase in Brazil, particularly in Enterobacterales other than Klebsiella spp. It highlights the diverse species and coexistence of important resistance genes in these NDM-producing strains. Prompt detection and effective measures are crucial to mitigate the further dissemination of NDM carbapenemase and preserve antimicrobial therapy options in hospital settings.

MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY (2024)