Microbiology

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Lactic acid bacteria naturally associated with ready-to-eat rocket salad can survive the human gastrointestinal transit

Giacomo Mantegazza, Robin Duncan, Nicolo Telesca, Giorgio Gargari, Susanna Perotti, Patrizia Riso, Simone Guglielmetti

Summary: This study investigates whether salad-associated LAB can survive the gastrointestinal transit (GIT) and contribute to the gut microbiota. The results suggest that salad-associated LAB can survive in the gastrointestinal tract, but their quantity does not significantly alter the composition of the gut microbiota.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Whole genome enrichment approach for genomic surveillance of Toxoplasma gondii

Balaji Sundararaman, Karen Shapiro, Andrea Packham, Lauren E. Camp, Rachel S. Meyer, Beth Shapiro, Richard E. Green

Summary: Pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa can cause food and waterborne diseases, and surveillance methods are needed. In this study, CNER method was used to prepare enrichment baits for difficult-to-grow pathogens. This method allows direct sequencing of pathogens from samples.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Growth kinetics of Bacillus cytotoxicus in liquid Egg yolk during treatment with phospholipase A2 - A one-step global dynamic analysis

Lihan Huang, Nurul Hawa Ahmad, Vijay Juneja, Erika Stapp-Kamotani, Jose Gabiola, Udit Minocha, Robert Phillips, Marie Hooker, Isabel Walls, Kim Cook, James Lindsay

Summary: This study investigated the growth kinetics of foodborne pathogen B. cereus during the commercial production of liquid egg yolk using PLA(2) treatment. The results showed that B. cytotoxicus NVH391-98 can grow prolifically at 50 degrees C, with estimated minimum, optimum, and maximum temperatures of 16.7-18.5, 47.8-48.1, and 52.1-52.4 degrees C, respectively. The dynamic model was validated with isothermal curves and it was found that holding the temperature below 15 degrees C or above 55 degrees C can effectively prevent the growth of B. cytotoxicus in egg yolk.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Foodborne and waterborne Arcobacter species exhibit a high virulent activity in Caco-2

Itsaso Baztarrika, Adrian Salazar-Sanchez, Lorena Laorden, Ilargi Martinez-Ballesteros, Rodrigo Alonso, Irati Martinez-Malaxetxebarria

Summary: The infection mechanisms of Arcobacter are still uncertain. This study found that Arcobacter isolates from food and water sources were able to adhere and invade Caco-2 cells, and carried at least two virulence markers. A. butzleri showed higher virulent activity compared to A. cryaerophilus, while A. lanthieri, A. skirrowii, and A. vitoriensis exhibited even higher adhesion and invasion values. Sewage isolates were more adherent and invasive, and had a higher gene content. The association between cadF and hecA with high adhesion capability was identified for the first time.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Infectious Diseases

Evaluation of the Performance of the Dynamiker Fungus (1-3)-β-D-Glucan and Fungitell Assay for Diagnosis of Candidemia: Need for New Cut-off Development and Test Validation

Somayeh Yazdanpanah, Maryam Rahbarmah, Marjan Motamedi, Hossein Khodadadi

Summary: This study compared the clinical characteristics of Fungitell and Dynamiker Fungus assays for diagnosing candidemia. The results showed that the DFA assay performed excellently, with high consistency with the FA assay and superior diagnostic performance.

DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE (2024)

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Improvement of the EN ISO 10273:2017 method for the cultural detection of Yersinia enterocolitica in meat

Mariana Marggraf, Andrea Barac, Jens Andre Hammerl, Stefan Hertwig

Summary: Isolating Yersinia enterocolitica from food is challenging due to overgrowth by other microflora and the lack of a selective medium. The authors improved the standard isolation procedure, resulting in a more sensitive method, reduced background bacteria, and time savings.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Comparing the susceptibility to sanitizers, biofilm-forming ability, and biofilm resistance to quaternary ammonium and chlorine dioxide of 43 Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes strains

Rafael D. Chaves, Samuel H. Kumazawa, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah, Veronica O. Alvarenga, Humberto M. Hungaro, Anderson S. Sant'Ana

Summary: This study investigated the susceptibility to sanitizers and biofilm-forming ability of 43 Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes strains on stainless steel surfaces. The results showed variations in susceptibility to sanitizers and biofilm resistance among different strains of the pathogens, with chlorine compounds being more effective in inactivating planktonic cells and biofilms.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Combined effects of cold and acid on dual-species biofilms of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Listeria monocytogenes under simulated chilled beef processing conditions

Guanghui Zhou, Pengcheng Dong, Xin Luo, Lixian Zhu, Yanwei Mao, Yunge Liu, Yimin Zhang

Summary: Interactions between bacterial species in the formation of dual-species biofilms in the food industry are affected by environmental stresses, such as temperature and pH. This study found that the combination of cold and acid stresses significantly increased biofilm formation, and different temperatures resulted in variations in the presence of specific bacterial species and the secretion of extracellular substances. The findings provide valuable insights for addressing mixed biofilms in food processing under diverse stressful conditions.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Infectious Diseases

Using a commercially available assay that measures cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T-cell immunity to predict protection against CMV: A prospective, blinded clinical study

Nouf K. Almaghlouth, Panagiotis Arvanitis, Kendra Vieira, Abby London, Dimitrios Farmakiotis

Summary: This study evaluated the performance of the Viracor CMV-T-cell immunity Panel (TCIP) in predicting CMV events. The results showed that CMV-specific CD4+ and CD8(+)T-cells were significantly lower in those with CMV events, and the TCIP could be a useful adjunct tool in individualized management of CMV infection.

DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE (2024)

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Identification, activity and delivery of new LysFA67 endolysin to target cheese spoilage Clostridium tyrobutyricum

Carmen Sanchez, Sonia Garde, Jose Maria Landete, Javier Calzada, Dave J. Baker, Rhiannon Evans, Arjan Narbad, Melinda J. Mayer, Marta Avila

Summary: This study sequenced and compared the genomes of bacteriophages active against C. tyrobutyricum, identifying novel species and phage proteins. A phage showed high lytic activity against C. tyrobutyricum cells and remained stable under different environmental conditions. Additionally, engineered strains successfully delivered endolysin and fluorescent protein to dairy products without affecting their technological properties.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

New insights into Bacillus cytotoxicus sources, screening, toxicity, and persistence in food production facilities

Danai Etter, Michael Biggel, Mariella Greutmann, Nicole Cernela, Sophia Johler

Summary: Bacillus cytotoxicus is a thermotolerant bacterium that is linked to rare but sometimes fatal cases of diarrheal disease. It is mostly found in dehydrated foods containing potato starch or insects and may be missed in routine screening.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Infectious Diseases

The pathology biopsy represents the gold standard for diagnosis: a case report

Linzhen Zhu, Haoting Zhang, Haibo Gu, Jianying Zhou

Summary: This case report describes a 70-year-old male patient with previously unknown immunodeficiency. Multiple pulmonary nodular shadows were observed on radiography. Fungal infection was detected in various samples, and the patient was ultimately diagnosed with disseminated Talaromyces marneffei infection and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The main significance of this study is to emphasize the importance for clinicians to obtain comprehensive specimens from patients presenting with multiple masses in order to ensure accurate clinical diagnosis.

DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE (2024)

Article Microbiology

From concept to reality: Transforming agriculture through innovative rhizosphere engineering for plant health and productivity

Manoj Kumar Solanki, Naveen Chandra Joshi, Prashant Kumar Singh, Sandeep Kumar Singh, Gustavo Santoyo, Lucas Carvalho Basilio de Azevedo, Ajay Kumar

Summary: The rhizosphere microbiome plays a crucial role in plant growth and health. Rhizosphere engineering can be used to modify the microbiome and improve plant productivity and resilience.

MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Flagella-mediated adhesion of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to surface of stainless steel, glass and fresh produces during sublethal injury and recovery

Yujun Zhai, Weina Tian, Kewei Chen, Linshu Lan, Jianquan Kan, Hui Shi

Summary: This research investigates the role of flagella-related genes in the adhesion of E. coli O157:H7 and the effects of certain cations on bacterial adhesion and motility. The results demonstrate that flagellar-mediated motility is critical in the early stage of adhesion, and the presence of Fe2+, Ca2+, and Mn2+ affects the adhesion and motility of wildtype strains but not flagellar function-impaired strains. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of bacterial adhesion and have implications for the development of anti-adhesion agents.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Infectious Diseases

Preparing for laboratory automation and consolidation-Establishing the validity of pediatric-like low-volume urine samples in boric-acid containing tubes

Or Kriger, Natasha Belausov, Shiraz Gefen-Halevi, Nadezda Savieva, Sharon Amit

Summary: This study demonstrates that the usage of preservative-containing urine tubes may inhibit pathogens in low-volume pediatric urine samples, resulting in false-negative results. We advocate for large-scale validations by regulators to ensure result consistency.

DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE (2024)

Article Infectious Diseases

Evaluation of two automated real-time PCR-based quantification methods for whole blood Epstein-Barr viral load

Ellen Vancutsem, Florence Crombe, Oriane Soetens, Magali Wautier, Corinna Dordelmann, Denis Pierard, Ingrid Wybo, Thomas Demuyser

Summary: Quantification of EBV DNA is crucial in transplantation settings for post-transplantation diagnosis. This study evaluated the performance of the AltoStar (R) EBV PCR Kit 1.5 on whole blood samples and found it to be reliable and accurate, with good sensitivity and linear range for EBV viral load determination.

DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE (2024)

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

CpxAR two-component system contributes to virulence properties of Cronobacter sakazakii

Tong Jin, Xiangjun Zhan, Liuxin Pang, Bo Peng, Xinpeng Zhang, Wenxiu Zhu, Baowei Yang, Xiaodong Xia

Summary: The study found that CpxAR TCS is an important regulatory mechanism for the virulence of C. sakazakii. Mutants showed weakened adhesion, invasion, and survival ability, and exhibited attenuated virulence in animal models. In addition, CpxAR TCS is involved in regulating the expression of genes associated with bacterial virulence and cellular invasion.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Pediococcus inopinatus with a well-developed CRISPR-Cas system dominates in long-term fermented kimchi, Mukeunji

So Yeong Mun, Wooje Lee, Soo-Young Lee, Ji Yoon Chang, Hae Choon Chang

Summary: This study reveals that lactobacilli with a strong defense system dominate the final stage of kimchi fermentation and proposes a model for the succession mechanism of kimchi lactobacilli.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Inactivation of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica, and L. monocytogenes through semi-continuous superheated steam treatment with additional effects of enhancing initial germination rate and salinity tolerance

Soo-Hwan Kim, Sang-Hyun Park, Jun-Bae Ahn, Dong-Hyun Kang

Summary: In this study, a semi continuous SHS system was developed to inactivate foodborne pathogens on radish seed surfaces and enhance the seeds' salinity tolerance. The results showed that higher temperature and more treatments led to a significant reduction in microbial count on the seed surface.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (2024)

Article Microbiology

Inhibition of pathogenic microbes in oral infectious diseases by natural products: Sources, mechanisms, and challenges

Xin Cao, Xing-Wang Cheng, Yin-Ying Liu, Hong-Wei Dai, Ren-You Gan

Summary: Maintaining oral health is crucial for overall well-being. Imbalances in oral microorganisms can lead to various infectious diseases. Exploring alternatives for prevention and management of oral infections is important due to limitations of current treatments. Natural products offer potential as reliable, effective, and affordable therapeutic options for oral infectious diseases.

MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH (2024)