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Balaban V, Warnock E, Ramana Dhara V, Jean-Louis LA, Sotir MJ, Kozarsky P. Health risks, travel preparation, and illness among public health professionals during international travel. Travel Med Infect Dis 2014; 12:349-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2014.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Revised: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Comparison of real-time PCR, reverse transcriptase real-time PCR, loop-mediated isothermal amplification, and the FDA conventional microbiological method for the detection of Salmonella spp. in produce. Appl Environ Microbiol 2011; 77:6495-501. [PMID: 21803916 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00520-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Contamination of foods, especially produce, with Salmonella spp. is a major concern for public health. Several methods are available for the detection of Salmonella in produce, but their relative efficiency for detecting Salmonella in commonly consumed vegetables, often associated with outbreaks of food poisoning, needs to be confirmed. In this study, the effectiveness of three molecular methods for detection of Salmonella in six produce matrices was evaluated and compared to the FDA microbiological detection method. Samples of cilantro (coriander leaves), lettuce, parsley, spinach, tomato, and jalapeno pepper were inoculated with Salmonella serovars at two different levels (10(5) and <10(1) CFU/25 g of produce). The inoculated produce was assayed by the FDA Salmonella culture method (Bacteriological Analytical Manual) and by three molecular methods: quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Comparable results were obtained by these four methods, which all detected as little as 2 CFU of Salmonella cells/25 g of produce. All control samples (not inoculated) were negative by the four methods. RT-qPCR detects only live Salmonella cells, obviating the danger of false-positive results from nonviable cells. False negatives (inhibition of either qPCR or RT-qPCR) were avoided by the use of either a DNA or an RNA amplification internal control (IAC). Compared to the conventional culture method, the qPCR, RT-qPCR, and LAMP assays allowed faster and equally accurate detection of Salmonella spp. in six high-risk produce commodities.
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Detection of live Salmonella sp. cells in produce by a TaqMan-based quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time PCR targeting invA mRNA. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; 75:3714-20. [PMID: 19376910 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02686-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica contamination in foods is a significant concern for public health. When DNA detection methods are used for analysis of foods, one of the major concerns is false-positive results from the detection of dead cells. To circumvent this crucial issue, a TaqMan quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay with an RNA internal control was developed. invA RNA standards were used to determine the detection limit of this assay as well as to determine invA mRNA levels in mid-exponential-, late-exponential-, and stationary-phase cells. This assay has a detection limit of 40 copies of invA mRNA per reaction. The levels of invA mRNA in mid-exponential-, late-exponential-, and stationary-phase S. enterica cells was approximately 1 copy per 3 CFU, 1 copy per CFU, and 4 copies per 10(3) CFU, respectively. Spinach, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, and serrano peppers were artificially contaminated with four different Salmonella serovars at levels of 10(5) and less than 10 CFU. These foods were analyzed with qRT-PCR and with the FDA's Bacteriological Analytical Manual Salmonella culture method (W. A. Andrews and T. S. Hammack, in G. J. Jackson et al., ed., Bacteriological analytical manual online, http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/ approximately ebam/bam-5.html, 2007). Comparable results were obtained by both methods. Only live Salmonella cells could be detected by this qRT-PCR assay, thus avoiding the dangers of false-positive results from nonviable cells. False negatives (inhibition of the PCR) were also ruled out through the use of an RNA internal control. This assay allows for the fast and accurate detection of viable Salmonella spp. in spinach, tomatoes, and in both jalapeno and serrano peppers.
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Lopman B. Noroviruses: simple detection for complex epidemiology. Clin Infect Dis 2006; 42:970-1. [PMID: 16511761 DOI: 10.1086/500946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2005] [Accepted: 12/16/2005] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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Ecker DJ, Sampath R, Willett P, Wyatt JR, Samant V, Massire C, Hall TA, Hari K, McNeil JA, Büchen-Osmond C, Budowle B. The Microbial Rosetta Stone Database: a compilation of global and emerging infectious microorganisms and bioterrorist threat agents. BMC Microbiol 2005; 5:19. [PMID: 15850481 PMCID: PMC1127111 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-5-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2004] [Accepted: 04/25/2005] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thousands of different microorganisms affect the health, safety, and economic stability of populations. Many different medical and governmental organizations have created lists of the pathogenic microorganisms relevant to their missions; however, the nomenclature for biological agents on these lists and pathogens described in the literature is inexact. This ambiguity can be a significant block to effective communication among the diverse communities that must deal with epidemics or bioterrorist attacks. RESULTS We have developed a database known as the Microbial Rosetta Stone. The database relates microorganism names, taxonomic classifications, diseases, specific detection and treatment protocols, and relevant literature. The database structure facilitates linkage to public genomic databases. This paper focuses on the information in the database for pathogens that impact global public health, emerging infectious organisms, and bioterrorist threat agents. CONCLUSION The Microbial Rosetta Stone is available at http://www.microbialrosettastone.com/. The database provides public access to up-to-date taxonomic classifications of organisms that cause human diseases, improves the consistency of nomenclature in disease reporting, and provides useful links between different public genomic and public health databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Ecker
- Ibis Therapeutics, a division of Isis Pharmaceuticals, 1891 Rutherford Rd., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - Rangarajan Sampath
- Ibis Therapeutics, a division of Isis Pharmaceuticals, 1891 Rutherford Rd., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - Paul Willett
- Ibis Therapeutics, a division of Isis Pharmaceuticals, 1891 Rutherford Rd., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | | | - Vivek Samant
- Ibis Therapeutics, a division of Isis Pharmaceuticals, 1891 Rutherford Rd., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - Christian Massire
- Ibis Therapeutics, a division of Isis Pharmaceuticals, 1891 Rutherford Rd., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - Thomas A Hall
- Ibis Therapeutics, a division of Isis Pharmaceuticals, 1891 Rutherford Rd., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - Kumar Hari
- Ibis Therapeutics, a division of Isis Pharmaceuticals, 1891 Rutherford Rd., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - John A McNeil
- Ibis Therapeutics, a division of Isis Pharmaceuticals, 1891 Rutherford Rd., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - Cornelia Büchen-Osmond
- International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Bruce Budowle
- Laboratory Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, DC 20535, USA
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Widdowson MA, Sulka A, Bulens SN, Beard RS, Chaves SS, Hammond R, Salehi ED, Swanson E, Totaro J, Woron R, Mead PS, Bresee JS, Monroe SS, Glass RI. Norovirus and foodborne disease, United States, 1991-2000. Emerg Infect Dis 2005; 11:95-102. [PMID: 15705329 PMCID: PMC3294339 DOI: 10.3201/eid1101.040426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Analysis of foodborne outbreaks shows how advances in viral diagnostics are clarifying the causes of foodborne outbreaks and determining the high impact of norovirus infections. Efforts to prevent foodborne illness target bacterial pathogens, yet noroviruses (NoV) are suspected to be the most common cause of gastroenteritis. New molecular assays allow for better estimation of the role of NoV in foodborne illness. We analyzed 8,271 foodborne outbreaks reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1991 to 2000 and additional data from 6 states. The proportion of NoV-confirmed outbreaks increased from 1% in 1991 to 12% in 2000. However, from 1998 to 2000, 76% of NoV outbreaks were reported by only 11 states. In 2000, an estimated 50% of foodborne outbreaks in 6 states were attributable to NoV. NoV outbreaks were larger than bacterial outbreaks (median persons affected: 25 versus 15), and 10% of affected persons sought medical care; 1% were hospitalized. More widespread use of molecular assays will permit better estimates of the role of NoV illness and help direct efforts to control foodborne illness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alana Sulka
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sandra N. Bulens
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Atlanta Research and Education Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - R. Suzanne Beard
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sandra S. Chaves
- Atlanta Research and Education Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Human Resources, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Roberta Hammond
- Bureau of Community Environmental Health, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | | | | | - Jessica Totaro
- Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ray Woron
- New York State Department of Health, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Paul S. Mead
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Joseph S. Bresee
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Roger I. Glass
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Boedeker EC. Gastrointestinal infections. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2003; 19:1-3. [PMID: 15699886 DOI: 10.1097/00001574-200301000-00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
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Lopman BA, Adak GK, Reacher MH, Brown DWG. Two epidemiologic patterns of norovirus outbreaks: surveillance in England and wales, 1992-2000. Emerg Infect Dis 2003; 9:71-7. [PMID: 12533284 PMCID: PMC2873766 DOI: 10.3201/eid0901.020175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the period 1992-2000, the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre collected standardized epidemiologic data on 1,877 general outbreaks of Norovirus (formerly "Norwalk-like virus") infection in England and Wales. Seventy-nine percent of general outbreaks occurred in health-care institutions, i.e., hospitals (40%) and residential-care facilities (39%). When compared with outbreaks in other settings, those in health-care institutions were unique in exhibiting a winter peak (p<0.0001); these outbreaks were also associated with significantly higher death rates and prolonged duration but were smaller in size and less likely to be foodborne. These data suggest that Norovirus infection has considerable impact on the health service and the vulnerable populations residing in institutions such as hospitals and residential homes. A distinct outbreak pattern in health-care institutions suggests a combination of host, virologic, and environmental factors that mediate these divergent epidemiologic patterns.
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Abstract
Foodborne infections are estimated to affect one in four Americans each year. Most these (67%) are caused by the Norwalk-like viruses, but Campylobacter and nontyphoidal Salmonellae together account for about one fourth of cases of illness in which a pathogen can be detected. Less common bacterial infections, such as with Listeria monocytogenes and the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, cause fewer infections but are important because of their severe complications or high mortality rate, or both. This review describes the recent development of a national surveillance system for foodborne illness, newer methods for molecular characterization of organisms for epidemiologic studies, and individual etiologic agents in the order of frequency of occurrence. Methods for decreasing the disease burden are discussed, including education of health care professionals and the public, modification of food-handling behaviors, the use of food irradiation, and the application of probiotics to foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Mao
- Center for Vaccine Development, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
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